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THE GIRL SCOUTS SERIES 


The Girl Scouts of 
the Round Table 


BOOKS BY MARGARET VANDERCOOK 

THE RANCH GIRLS SERIES 
The Ranch Girls at Rainbow Lodge 
The Ranch Girls* Pot of Gold 
The Ranch Girls at Boarding School 
The Ranch Girls in Europe 
The Ranch Girls at Home Again 
The Ranch Girls and their Great Adventure 
■ The Ranch Girls and their Heart’s Desire 
The Ranch Girls and the Silver Arrow 

THE RED CROSS SERIES 
The Red Cross Girls in the British Trenches 
The Red Cross Girls on the French Firing Line 
The Red Cross Girls in Belgium 
The Red Cross Girls with the Russian Army 
The Red Cross Girls with the Italian Army 
The Red Cross Girls under the Stars and Stripes 
The Red Cross Girls Afloat with the Flag 
The Red Cross Girls with Pershing to Victory 
The Red Cross Girls with the U. S. Marines 
The Red Cross Girls in the National Capital 

STORIES ABOUT CAMP FIRE GIRLS 
The Camp Fire Girls at Sunrise Hill 
The Camp Fire Girls Amid the Snows 
The Camp Fire Girls in the Outside World 
The Camp Fire Girls across the Sea 
The Camp Fire Girls’ Careers 
The Camp Fire Girls in After Years 
The Camp Fire Girls on the Edge of the Desert 
The Camp Fire Girls at the End of the Trail 
The Camp Fire Girls Behind the Lines 
The Camp Fire Girls on the Field of Honor 
The Camp Fire Girls in Glorious France 
The Camp Fire Girls in Menie England 
' The Camp Fire Girls at Half Moon Lake 

I THE GIRL SCOUTS SERIES 

The Girl Scouts of the Eagle’s Wing 
The Girl Scouts in Beechwood Forest 
The Girl Scouts of the Round Table 


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This was Their First Important Test 


{See page 149) 






THE GIRL SCOUTS SERIES 


The Girl Scouts of 
the Round Table 

By 

MARGARET y;ANDERCOOK 

Author of “The Ranch Girls Series,” 

“The Red Cross Girls Series,” “Stories 
About Camp Fire Girls,” etc. 


fllustratcD 


THE JOHN C. WINSTON COMPANY 

Publishers Philadelphia 



Copyright, 1921, by 
THE JOHN C. WINSTON COMPANY 



5G!.A661777 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER PAGE 

I. The White Knight 7 

II. The Round Table 19 

III. ^^Not Death but Life^^ 30 

IV. Tory’s Dreams 39 

V. Christmas Eve 48 

VI. A Christmas Dance 61 

VII. A City of Towers 71 

VIII. The Call 79 

IX. A Studio Tea 90 

X. Reaction 104 

XL A Round Table Discussion 117 

XII. Unexpected Opportunities 126 

XIII. Other Experiences 136 

XIV. An Introduction 153 

XV. Unraveling 166 

XVI. Doubt 181 

XVII. An Announcement 190 

XVIII. The Last Round Table 207 

XIX. An Unwritten Story 216 

XX. A Wedding 226 

XXL A June Day 235 


( 5 ) 


CHAPTER I 


THE WHITE KNIGHT 

T he snow had fallen several days before. 
This afternoon the ground was hard 
and white, with a thin crust of ice. 
Spinning in the air were small silver crystals 
that danced in the winter wind as if with no 
thought of ever settling down upon the earth. 
Driving along the road, Tory Drew felt 
their hght, cold touch on her forehead and 
cheeks. The warm blood in her rushed up to 
meet them, her face and eyes glowed. 

She was alone and on her way to call upon 
Memory Frean in her House in the Woods. 

An hour before she had been despondent. 
Now she felt a pleasant rush of excitement and 
a sense of adventure. 

Originally she had not intended to make the 
little journey alone. At present she was 
rejoicing in her loneliness. 

She had stopped at the shabby old house 
across from her own to ask Dorothy McClain 
to accompany her, but finding Dorothy away 
from home had made no further effort for 
companionship. 


( 7 ) 


8 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


There were other Girl Scouts who would 
gladly have joined her. Memory Frean was 
a member of their Council, and during the 
past summer in Beechwood Forest their own 
Patrol of the Eaglets Wing Troop had learned 
to know her intimately. 

Tory's horse moved slowly and serenely 
with little urging from her. The tang and 
beauty of the afternoon occasionally stirred 
him to small spurts of speed. 

Ordinarily Mr. Richard Fenton's riding 
horse, only recently Tobias had been broken 
for driving. 

This afternoon he was drawing a newly 
purchased two-seated sleigh with Tory Drew 
as driver. 

Now and then she made an impatient 
movement of her reins and smiled, appreciat- 
ing the fact that Tobias would not move any 
faster than his own inclination ordered. Be- 
sides, she was in no particular hurry. So 
long as the sun shone with its early afternoon 
radiance upon the white world surrounding 
her, she enjoyed being a part of the great 
outdoors. 

The wind blew harder and the snow 
danced faster and still Tory laughed. The 
House in the Woods would appear like a 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


9 


miniature fairy palace when she finally 
reached it. 

It was Friday, and she had received 
permission from her aunt, Miss Victoria 
Fenton, to remain for the night. Therefore, 
when darkness fell she and Miss Frean could 
sit by the open fire and talk as only they could 
talk. 

If of late life had not been so satisfactory 
as usual. Memory Frean would help set things 
right. 

Only a little more than a year before on an 
autumn afternoon they had met along this self- 
same road. 

The thought of Westhaven without Memory 
Frean, Victoria Drew did not like to con- 
template. 

Since her arrival in the little New England 
town of Westhaven two friends she had come 
to consider indispensable to her happiness. 
Memory Frean and Katherine Moore. 

No longer was Kara to be found in the Gray 
House on the Hill, her own title for the village 
orphan asylum. 

Counting the days, Tory felt it incredible 
that she and Kara had been separated only 
two months. But then she was one of the 
persons who measured time not by the calen- 
dar but by her own needs. 


10 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


After the excitement of helping Kara make 
ready to leave had followed a natural reaction. 
Then word had come that the other girl was 
settled in a small hospital in New York City. 
How long she must wait before the doctors 
could say whether she would be able to walk 
again no one would predict. 

Kara was struggling to be patient. Tory 
appreciated that she should be no less patient, 
yet uncertainty was peculiarly hard for her 
restless nature. 

This morning Kara’s final letter had an- 
nounced that she might hope to hear by 
Christmas. Until then they must both 
be brave. 

With all Tory Drew’s vivid charm and 
sweetness, she did not possess the force of 
character of the other girl. However, their 
fives had been very different. After her 
mother’s death, Victoria Drew, who preferred 
to be known as Tory, had lived with her artist 
father, wandering about Europe. Eighteen 
months before, he had married a second time. 
He had then sent her to be brought up as an 
American girl in the little town of Westhaven, 
with her mother’s unmarried brother and 
sister, Mr. Richard Fenton and Miss Victoria 
Fenton. 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


11 


No such background favored Kara. Found 
by a passer-by in a deserted cabin when little 
more than a baby, until her accident in Beech- 
wood Forest the summer before, Kara had 
lived in the village orphan asylum. Her 
name, Katherine Moore, pinned to her dress, 
was all that was so far known of her history 
or parentage. She had gone with her Patrol 
of Girl Scouts to the woods to camp for the 
summer. Here, an accident which had not 
appeared serious at the time made it probable 
that she would never walk again.* 

Her thoughts turning from one friend to 
the other, Tory became more dispirited. 

She did not look overhead to see that the 
clouds were deepening and the sun on the 
snow shining less bright. No longer were the 
snowflakes dancing in the air, but settling 
thick and fast on the hard crust of the ice. 

However, when she drew up before the front 
door of the House in the Woods she was finally 
aware of the fact. 

It was good to observe the smaU spiral of 
smoke ascending through the brick chimney 
and to catch the reflection of the fire on the 
window glass. Preferring first to make her 
horse comfortable for the night, Tory led 

* See “Girl Scouts in Beechwood Forest.” 


12 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


him to the stable at the back of the house, 
unhitched and fed him. 

With her task accomplished, on her way to 
the house Tory found her hands and face 
aching from the cold. She received the 
impression that although fighting valiantly 
against the wind and snow, if the contest 
should be a long one she would be defeated. 

Her knock at the front door became more 
imperative than polite, more a demand than 
an appeal. 

No one opened the door. 

The girl did not knock again. A sudden 
gust of wind blew her forward. She caught 
hold of the knob, felt it turn and pushed open 
the door. 

The room inside was warm, glowing and 
empty. 

Tor}^ called, but there was no reply. 

By the side of the fireplace was a pile of 
logs sufficient to last twenty-four hours. Re- 
moving her wraps and replenishing the fire, 
the newcomer sat down on the stool she re- 
garded as her especial property. 

There was not much light in the wide room 
save the flames of crimson and gold from the 
fire. The window blinds were open, but the 
sunlight of an hour before had vanished. 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


IS 


The light through the glass was gray and 
opaque. 

Tory frowned. Yet she was really ex- 
tremely comfortable and reasonably serene 
again. Christmas was not far off. Her uncle 
had promised to take her for her first visit 
to New York. With her artist father she 
had been in London, Paris and Rome; and 
the time was approaching when she should 
behold the greatest city in her own country. 

Tory Drew^s frown at present was not for 
herself or Katherine Moore. She was troubled 
by Memory Frean^s absence from her home. 

No need to ponder where she had gone, or 
why. 

Tory observed the absence of the rusty 
leather bag that ordinarily sat in the comer 
by the odd cabinet. 

From the depth of this same bag she had 
received the gift of the Eagle’s Wing which 
had been her talisman in Westhaven. Later 
her Troop of Girl Scouts had chosen the 
Eagle’s Wing for its crest. 

Never did Miss Frean fail to carry this 
bag when upon a pilgrimage to some one ill 
or in trouble in the neighborhood who asked 
her sympathy and help. 

The laws and purposes of the outdoors,. 


14 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


some of its simple gifts of healing, Miss Frean 
had studied and applied. 

She would realize that the storm would be a 
heavy one and return home in a little while. 

In the meantime, the girl, knowing she would 
be found a welcome guest, sat by the fire, 
sometimes dreaming, at others troubled by 
Miss Frean^s delay. 

She had always been able to see pictures in 
the firelight. 

At present she pretended to observe a 
procession of knights marching through the 
flames. The last knight perished and Tory 
aroused herself to action. 

Outside it was now dark, so that Miss Frean 
would be at home at any moment, tired and 
hungry. 

She would be glad to discover she was not 
to spend the long winter evening alone. 

Lighting a lamp, Tory set it in the window 
as a beacon guide ty the mistress of the house. 
Another she placed in the center of the table, 
which she laid for supper. 

Having spent many hours in the House in 
the Woods with Memory Frean, Tory was 
familiar with all its domestic arrangements. 

Yet to-night she had an odd sense of un- 
reality, a fanciful impression that she was in a 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


15 


little house of mystery shut in by the white 
guards outside. Now and then they rattled 
and shook the doors and windows as if they 
wished to enter. 

She had been glad that Miss Frean had left 
her front door unlocked. She rarely ever 
fastened it. Since her own arrival Tory 
had seen that it was securely bolted. 

Seven o^clock and the water was boiling on 
the oil stove in the kitchen, the bread sliced 
for toast, and the bacon and eggs waiting to 
be cooked on the instant. 

At half -past Tory ate her supper alone. 

At eight o^clock she went to the front door 
and haK opened it with the impulse to go forth 
and search for her friend. 

Tory saw the absurdity of this idea, for 
she had no conception where to begin the 
search. The conviction was stealing over her 
that instead of waiting through the quiet 
hours for the return of Memory Frean she 
should have gone back to her home in West- 
haven before dark. There was more than a 
possibility now that Miss Frean would remain 
for the night at the home of the iQ person 
for whom she was caring. That she could be 
away on any other errand that would absorb 
so much time did not occur to her unexpected 
guest. 


16 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


Half an hour later Tory^s serenity com- : 
pletely vanished, when suddenly the idea of | 
remaining alone in the little House in the 
Woods for the night swept over her with a 
sense of panic. Never had she been alone 
an3rsvhere for a night in her entire lifetime. 
Here she was in the heart of the country with 
no neighbor within a mile. Often she had 
wondered and worried over Miss Frean^s 
living here alone, yet the terror of a winter ^s 
night in the midst of a storm had never 
before touched her imagination. 

And Tory^s imagination was keener than 
most persons\ 

The big room became haunted with 
shadows. The gusts of wind outside that had 
given her a sense of satisfaction and the im- 
pression of being safely cloistered during the 
afternoon were now wailing spirits struggling 
to enter. 

Tory was now walking up and down the 
floor straining her ears to catch the sound of 
approaching footsteps. If only Memory 
Frean would return, there would still be time 
for a few happy hours together. 

Memory Frean must of course be spending 
the night with her patient, who had been too 
ill to permit her to return earlier in the evening. 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


17 


Tory realized that she should have gone 
back to her own home in Westhaven as soon 
as she discovered her hostess’s absence. 

It was too late now to consider this. Be- 
sides, the storm made it out of the question. 

Restlessly she continued walking up and 
down the serene and familiar room, but Tory’s 
own serenity had vanished. The room 
haunted by shadows, she must remain here 
alone until daylight. 

Always she had suffered from an ardent 
imagination. At times it afforded her more 
entertainment than anything else in the 
world. To-night she would have been glad 
to be spared it. 

Straining her ears, she kept hoping for the 
return of Miss Frean, notwithstanding the 
conditions outside. 

At bedtime Tory arrived at a desperate 
decision. 

No matter what the reahty, she could face 
it. She would go back to Westhaven. 

An unnerving self-pity overwhelmed her. 

In the old brown-and-gold drawing-room of 
the Fenton homestead her uncle and aunt were 
perhaps nodding over their evening conver- 
sation. They would be missing her presence. 
Suppose they dreamed of her present plight? 


18 


THE GmL SCOUTS 


She put on her coat and wrapped her fur 
tightly about her. 

A bam lantern hung inside the kitchen door. 

Lighting it, Tory once more opened the 
front door of the little House in the Woods. 

Her lamp went out, she was enveloped in 
a spiral column of swirling snow. 

On the path and just below the catalpa tree 
Tory seemed to see a tall figure shining in 
white and silver. 

She knew of course this was an illusion, 
nevertheless, she banged the door shut with 
all the force at her command. 

Then, as sleep appeared out of the question, 
piling the fire with logs, once more she sat 
down, now to watch and wait for the coming 
of morning. 


CHAPTER II 


THE ROUND TABLE 

^^But now farewell. I am going a long way 
With these thou seest — if indeed I go 
(For all my mind is clouded with a doubt) — 

To the island-valley of AviHon; 

Where falls not hail, or rain, or any snow. 

Nor ever wind blows loudly; but it lies 
Deep-meadowed, happy, fair with orchard lawns 
And bowery hollows crown ^d with summer sea. 
Where I will heal me of my grievous wound.” 

So said he, and the barge with oar and sail 
Moved from the brink like some full-breasted swan 
That fluting a wild carol ere her death, 

Rufiles her pure cold plume, and takes the flood 
With swarthy webs. Long stood Sir Bedivere 
Revolving many memories, till the hull 
Looked one black dot against the verge of dawn, 

And on the mere the wailing died away. 

T ory drew glanced up from the 
pages of the book she had been read- 
ing throughout the long night. 

Dawn was touching with pale fingers the 
outside world. The fire to which she had 
failed to pay any attention in the past hour 

( 19 ) 


£0 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


was a hot bed of glowing ashes. The lamp 
was beginning a sputtering warning that the 
end of its supply of oil was drawing near. 

Still for several moments more Tory read 
on. A few verses and she would have 
finished reading Tennyson’s Idylls of the 
King.” The poems had held her enchanted 
many hours. 

Not that Tory had read for so long a time 
without stopping. Twice she had thrown 
herself upon the couch drawn near the fire 
and had done her best to sleep. On both 
occasions the terror of the night and storm and 
her loneliness seized hold on her. 

Every Girl Scout resolution was summoned 
and recited. Now and then Tory repeated 
them aloud to fortify her courage. Not- 
withstanding, she continued unable to lose 
consciousness, and rising again would go back 
to her book. 

Fortunately for Victoria Drew, since her 
arrival in Westhaven the winter before she 
had become the intimate comrade of her 
uncle, Mr. Richard Fenton. In the beautiful 
library at the Fenton house she frequently 
prepared her school lessons for the following 
day. Oftentimes in search of a special piece 
of information she would hunt among the old 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


21 


books on the shelves above her head. Oc- 
casionally she sat listening while Mr. Fenton 
read aloud. 

Until her friendship with her uncle Tory 
had not cared a great deal for books. She 
was not so enthusiastic areader as several other 
girls in her Patrol of Scouts. But there were 
certain stories and romances, pages of his- 
tory that appealed to Tory^s ardent imagina- 
tion with peculiar force. 

She would have explained that she loved 
to read whatever created the most vivid 
mental picture. 

In this lay the fascination for Tory in 
Tennyson's ‘‘Idylls of the ESng." She had 
never read the entire group of poems until 
to-night; only Ustened to an occasional 
extract or quotation recited by Mr. Fenton, 
She had, however, heard the story of King 
Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. 

To intensify her interest Mr. Fenton had 
described the frescoes of Sir Galahad and his 
search for the Holy Grail, painted by a great 
artist. He had promised to take her some 
day to Boston to see them. 

Alone to-night, Tory had seen her own 
vision, and been inspired with a new idea. 

Now she was weary and very sleepy. 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


Over her own costume she was wearing a 
warm crimson wrapper of Miss Frean^s. 

Heaping the fire with the last remaining 
logs, she lay down again, drawing the covers 
over her head to shut out the cold white light 
of dawn. This time promptly Tory fell 
asleep. The sleep was not particularly heavy. 
Certainly she was listening for a sound out- 
side that might announce the return of 
Memory Frean to her own home. Had she 
been forced to stay at another house because 
of the storm or illness, Tory believed she 
would come home as soon as possible. 

Naturally in her semiconscious condition 
Tory’s dreams were confused. Her head was 
filled with chivalrous romances of the past, 
with stories of knights and ladies and tourna- 
ments. Never far away was the thought of 
her own Girl Scout organization. Prosaic 
though it might appear to some persons, for 
Tory it held endless ideals and romances. 
At present in her dreams, amid the combina- 
tion of impressions the figure of King Arthur 
appeared, and ^^Camelot, a city of shadowy 
palaces.” 

King Arthur seemed to have met Memory 
Frean somewhere, and was escorting Miss 
Frean to the little House in the Woods, 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


2S 

accompanied by a troop of Knights of the 
Hound Table. 

One of them was making an extraordinary 
amount of noise. The knight must have 
ridden his horse up to the front door. He 
was pounding upon it as if he were demanding 
admittance. 

Half dazed, Tory at last sat up on the edge 
of the couch. 

At dawn she had raised one of the blinds. 
Now the sun outside was making a white 
magic on the snow as beautiful as any picture 
in her imagination. 

There was no magic, however, with regard 
to the noise; it was unmistakably real. 

Tory haK stumbled, half ran across the cold 
floor in her stockinged feet, with the dressing 
gown close about her. 

She turned the key and her hand was on the 
knob when she paused an instant. 

Her eyes traveled to an old-fashioned clock 
that hung above the mantel; it was not yet 
seven o’clock. 

The sound outside was an odd one; scarcely 
could she imagine it made by Memory Frean. 

Tory was still tired and anxious, more so 
than she had been during her long vigil. 
Never had she read so much and for so long a 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


time and certainly not under such circum- 
stances. 

“Memory, is it you?’^ the girFs voice called. 

The following instant a huge body flung 
itself against the door so that the little house 
shook with the impact. 

Tory had the good sense to cross over to 
the window. More fully awake and with 
daylight come, she had less sense of nervous 
fear. 

The snow outside lay nearly level with the 
window sill, although it had ceased to fall. 
The morning air was clear and shining. 
The white arms of the trees were outstretched 
as if in benediction. 

Unable to see through the frosted glass, 
Tory partly raised the window. 

She gave a little cry as the figure bounded 
from the door to the window. The cry was 
not of fear but of amused relief. 

The early morning intruder was a dog that 
lived in the neighborhood and was an especial 
friend of Miss Frean^s. She it was who had 
named him “The Emperor.’’ 

He had not appeared at the camp in Beech- 
wood Forest the summer before as often as 
the Girl Scouts had expected. Apparently 
the Emperor regarded only a few persons with 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


25 


affection. The confusion of camp life did not 
please him to the extent of the quiet little 
House in the Woods. 

Miss Frean had a peculiar sympathy with 
animals, the rare gift possessed by few persons 
and most of them lonely in their relation to 
human beings. 

At present Tory Drew was not surprised 
by the visit from the Emperor. Troubled 
by the first heavy snowstorm of the winter, 
he had come to see if all were well with his 
friend. 

Unhesitatingly Tory opened the door and 
the big dog rushed indoors. He was a Great 
Dane and she reeled slightly when he threw 
himself against her, placing his heavy paws 
on her two shoulders. 

The voice that ordered him down was not 
wholly devoid of fear. 

The Emperor obeyed, but seized hold of 
the crimson dressing gown, the property of 
Miss Frean, which Tory was still wearing. 
He began pulling at it with an intensity 
of appeal. 

Tory recognized the situation, or was under 
the impression that she recognized it. 

Far away as the House in the Woods was 
from other homes, some one must have gone 


26 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


astray in the storm. The Emperor had come 
to the one person he knew who was sure to 
give aid. He had come to seek Miss Frean. 
Not finding her, he was making his petition 
to the person he had discovered in her place. 

Taking off the dressing gown, Tory shpped 
on her shoes and overshoes, and then more 
slowly her coat and furs. 

The dog remained patiently waiting so far 
as any movement of his body, but always 
with the suggestion of imploring haste in his 
eyes. 

This became more apparent when, dressed 
for the outdoors, Tory hesitated. 

Was the old truism in this case a stern 
reality? Was discretion not the better part 
of valor? 

Should she follow the dog to the spot where 
some one may have been overcome by the 
storm? Once there, what possible aid had 
she the power to render? Yet to fail to do 
what she could was less possible. Not only 
to her principles as a Girl Scout would she 
be unfaithful, but she had entertained her- 
self during the past night by considering her 
Patrol as Knights of a Round Table. 

“^AU kinds of service with a noble ease, 
that graced the lowliest act in doing it,’^^ 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


27 


Tory quoted to herself, as she stepped out 
of the front door, the dog close beside her. 

She stopped and caught her breath. 

The air was tingling with the sharp cold, 
the sky above the branches of the snow-laden 
trees a steel blue. These were not the impor- 
tant facts. Save for the footprints of the 
dog, there was no track anywhere of man or 
beast; the path had completely vanished. 
To step out into the unpacked snow would 
mean that she too would be floundering about 
half-way up to her waist and soon in need of 
help instead of being able to offer it. 

Nevertheless, through the intense stillness 
of the early winter morning Tory believed she 
did hear some one approaching. 

The Emperor must have received the same 
impression. He appeared to sympathize and 
undertand her uncertainty once she had 
stepped outdoors to follow his behest. Now 
he bounded from her. 

Not long after Tory’s eyes filled with tears 
of surprise and relief, which promptly froze 
into crystals. 

The newcomer, making his way slowly and 
painstakingly toward the House in the Woods, 
was her uncle, Mr. Richard Fenton. 

^^Tory, is it well with you and Miss Frean? ” 


28 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


he called out. have been worrying about 
you all night and got up at daylight to come 
and see.’' 

He was nearer now and Tory smiled 
happily upon him. 

I was under the impression I was becoming 
an old man, Tory dear,” he remarked as he 
put his arm about her. “Now I am not so 
sure. At first I thought I never would be 
able to make the long walk out here. There 
was no other way at present and I was de- 
termined to come. You see, you borrowed 
my horse and sleigh for your pilgrimage 
yesterday afternoon.” 

“Yes, I know, I am sorry — ^no, I am not,” 
Tory contradicted herself. “I really don’t 
know what I am sajdng. What would you 
think if I tell you that I spent the entire 
night alone in the House in the Woods? 
Memory Frean was away when I arrived and 
I stayed on, thinking she would return each 
moment. Then night and the storm ” 

“ And Memory Frean did not return home? ” 
Mr. Fenton inquired, with more anxiety in his 
manner and tone than Tory had suffered. 

Shaking her head, she was attempting to 
give her own version of the situation, when 
the Emperor, whom they had almost for- 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


29 


gotten, flung himself upon them in a perfect 
fury of emotional excitement. 

Mr. Fenton at once understood his appeal. 

“Some one is lost in the snow. How can 
we manage, Tory?’^ he asked a little help- 
lessly. Immediately the girl braced herself 
to meet the conditions intelligently. Her 
training as a Girl Scout counted in such 
moments of emergency. 

“After all, there is the horse and sleigh! 
I had completely forgotten!’^ she answered. 
“If they have survived the night as well as 
I have, we can drive slowly, following the 
Emperor. If anyone has been overcome by 
the snowstorm, there is a chance we could 
bring him to the House in the Woods.’’ 


CHAPTER III 


^^NOT DEATH BUT LIFE” 

M r. FENTON walked on slowly with 
his hand at the horse’s head. He 
was guiding and encouraging, as he 
floundered through the heavy snow, almost 
as light in quality as sifted flour. 

Tory rode, holding the reins and standing 
so that she might better observe the objects 
ahead. 

With apparent good judgment, the Em- 
peror did not rush on out of sight. He kept 
stopping and turning to discover if his much- 
needed assistants in whatever cause he had 
at heart were following. 

As a matter of fact, Tory was forgetting the 
seriousness of their quest. The morning was 
enchantingly lovely. With the appearance 
of her uncle her fears had subsided. 

Doubtless Memory Frean would make her 
way home in their absence and discover that 
the House in the Woods had sheltered an 
unknown occupant during the night. 

Overhead the long feathery Angers of snow 
suspended from the branches of the trees 

( 30 ) 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


31 


sparkled and swung, falling to earth at the 
lightest breath of wind. 

In truth the morning was remarkably still, 
as suddenly toward dawn the storm had 
ceased entirely. 

Tory affectionately studied her uncle, his 
fine scholarly face unusually reddened and 
glowing by the surprising exertions of his 
struggles through the drifted snow. His 
shoulders, oftentimes slightly bowed, were 
now erect in order that he might better survey 
his surroundings. 

Plainly he was more troubled than Tory by 
what might lie ahead. 

Suddenly the Emperor halted and glanced 
backward with an expression of imploring 
anxiety, then swerving toward the left, he 
galloped toward a small grove of pine trees. 
His patience was finally exhausted. 

Mr. Fenton brought his horse to a stand- 
still. 

^^Stay here, please, Tory,^’ he said quietly, 
but in a tone of authority that would be 
instinctively obeyed. 

More cautiously and slowly he followed 
their guide. 

Tory suffered in the next interval of ten 
minutes. 


32 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


She watched Mr. Fenton striding through 
the opening toward the small grove of trees. 
Then from her present position she was unable 
to see him. 

Of course it was only a few moments, but 
it seemed interminable to Tory before she 
heard him calling her name in a tone of voice 
entirely new to her ears. 

It left no room for hesitation or doubt. 

Getting out of the sleigh, she ran in the 
direction she had seen Mr. Fenton take, 
fighting her way with her arms and hands 
as well as her feet and legs. 

Without realizing what she had done, she 
left the horse standing midway in the snow- 
piled country road. 

Before Tory reached the grove of trees 
Mr. Fenton appeared at the edge, his dark 
figure against the white background. He 
was staggering under a heavy load. 

No longer running ahead but close beside 
him stalked the Emperor with downcast head. 

Tory gave a cry of mingled fear and pain. 

The weight Mr. Fenton was carrying was 
the figure of a woman. Her coat was en- 
crusted with snow, her body appeared entirely 
limp and lifeless. About the figure there was 
a bewildering familiarity. 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


An instant Tory sank to the ground. 
Memory Frean had been out all night trying 
to find her way home to the House in the 
Woods. She, of all persons, to have lost her 
way in a storm, with her knowledge of the 
outdoor world! 

What must be done? Tory rose up but 
did not go forward to offer aid. Instead, she 
floundered back the way she had come, not 
many yards in reality. As soon as possible 
she reached her horse’s head and at- 
tempted to turn him from the road. 

The idea was her own, but Mr. Fenton,, 
appreciating the wisdom of her plan, laid down 
his burden and came at once to her assistance. 

They must get Miss Frean back to her own 
home. The distance was not great, and now 
they had made a trail the return would require 
only a few moments. 

Inside the sleigh Tory partly supported the 
body of her friend, chafing her wrists and 
forehead with snow and vainly trying to 
discover some suggestion of life and warmth. 
Her face appeared as intensely white as the 
snow itself. 

Less than a quarter of an hour found them 
before the door of the House in the Woods. 

Flinging it open, Mr. Fenton, aided by 


34 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


Tory, carried in the woman who had never 
before crossed her own threshold in such a 
fashion. 

Don^t close the door, please; the room must 
be kept cool,^^ Tory demanded, when Memory 
Frean had been placed on the cot she herseH 
had occupied so short a time before. If she 
had believed the long night difficult, how 
much worse had she known the truth! Not 
far away the friend, dearer to her than any 
other woman, was perhaps dying near her 
own door! 

There was still hope, but little more than 
hope. How many hours Memory Frean had 
been seeking shelter there was no way to 
conjecture! 

Tory realized that she had forgotten the first 
aid in the emergency that faced her uncle and 
herself. She could recall only this one fact: 
the change in the temperature must hot be 
too decided. On Memory Frean’s table amid 
her most cherished books lay a Scout manual. 

Tory’s hands seemed frozen and helpless 
as she searched for the desired page. After 
a hurried glance about the unfamiliar room, 
Mr. Fenton had disappeared, murmuring that 
he would return as soon as possible. He must 
in some way get word to the doctor. He ap- 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


35 


peared strangely annoyed that Miss Frean 
had no telephone. Tory had learned to un- 
derstand that Mr. Fenton was often irritable 
when he was most deeply concerned and 
distressed. 

His going made no especial difference. 
Alone Tory was struggling to remove Miss 
Frean^s stiff clothes, now wet and clinging 
from the change to the indoors. 

Now and then she called her friend^s name, 
not expecting a response. 

Sitting beside her what seemed an endless 
time, Tory continued rubbing her with rough 
cloths wet in cold water. 

As Tory worked, her mind felt extraor- 
dinarily clear. 

She recalled her first meeting with Memory 
Frean on the autumn road a little more than 
a year before, and the gift of the Indian 
talisman, an eaglets feather. 

Later she remembered the evening in the 
old Fenton drawing-room when she made the 
surprising discovery that her uncle and Miss 
Frean had been devoted friends many years 
before, but of late had seen nothing of each 
other. 

If the room in which she and Miss Frean 
were at this tragic moment had since grown 


36 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


almost as familiar as her own, she recalled the 
impression it first had made upon her. She 
had reahzed that it possessed a kind of 
fine simplicity like the woman it sheltered. 
Tory^s artistic temperament demanded that 
the outward form be the expression of the 
inner nature. How many pleasant hours she 
and Memory Frean had passed together in 
this room! They were more than pleasant 
hours, they had been inspiring. Only the 
night before she had come to seek the same 
inspiration. Must the past be all she would 
ever have from the friend so still and serene 
beside her? 

Once only Tory arose. The fire was dying 
out. She must not allow this to happen, 
as Dr. McClain might desire the room to be 
warmer. There was one small log. It must 
be sufficient; not for another moment could 
she relax her vigilance. 

If only she could discover the faintest 
warmth, one flicker of life, the lifting of an 
eyelash, what comfort! 

Of all her Troop of Girl Scouts why should 
she, the most inadequate of them all, be the 
one to meet this disaster? So far Tory had 
not called it by any other name, although 
tehind her outer consciousness there was an 
impression she resolutely declined to face. 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


37 


Upon Mr. Fenton’s return she scarcely 
paid any attention to him save to say what he 
should do to assist her. She was aware that 
he looked older than she had ever seen him 
as he awkwardly attempted to follow her 
directions. 

Incredibly short as the time was, in reality 
it was an eternity to Tory before Dr> 
McClain’s car drew up before the House in the 
Woods. 

He came in, followed by a nurse and 
Dorothy McClain. 

As Tory attempted to move and give place 
to them, she found her legs suddenly unable 
to do her bidding. She had grown rigid and 
would have fallen save that Dorothy McClain 
caught her. 

She almost carried her out of the room into 
the little kitchen that adjoined the hving- 
room. 

^^You must not give up now, dear; father 
may need our aid. I don’t believe you have 
had any breakfast. We will all be wanting 
coffee by and by. We were just sitting down 
to the table when the message came. Don’t 
be disheartened. Miss Frean will recover^ 
she is so beautifully healthy and strong. 
Remember what an outdoor life she has led!” 


THE GHIL SCOUTS 


As Dorothy chattered on to distract the 
other girPs attention, she was busily doing a 
number of important acts — hghting an oil 
stove and placing water to boil, finding the 
coffee and setting a corner of the kitchen 
table with a cup, saucer and plate. 

Still Tory sat in the chair where she had 
been placed, but by and by drank some 
coffee and suggested that Mr. Fenton be 
persuaded to do the same thing. 

For a Httle Dorothy^s hopefulness and warm 
vitality wakened a response in her. This 
ebbed away as the moments passed and no 
word came that Miss Frean was recovering 
consciousness. 

Now and then, hke a chord repeating itself, 
a quotation she had learned the evening before 
came and went in her consciousness: 

^^We will work thy will, who love thee.^' 


CHAPTER IV 
Tory’s dreams 

S EVERAL weeks later Dorothy McClain 
and Victoria Drew were again in the 
kitchen adjoining the living-room of 
the House in the Woods. 

Upon this afternoon their state of mind was 
altogether unhke their former one. This 
was apparent both in manner and expression. 

Over their Girl Scout costumes they were 
wearing semiofficial nursing uniforms, white 
cotton dresses and caps of their own design. 

At present Dorothy McClain was leaning 
anxiously over the kitchen stove stirring a 
kettle of simmering milk into which she had 
just measured a proper amount of cocoa. 
Her face was flushed and she was looking so 
pretty that Tory sat watching her with a smile 
of satisfaction. She herself was engaged in 
cutting thin slices of bread. Of late more 
than one cause had conspired to make Dorothy 
less happy than usual. 

do hope the first visit from our entire 
Patrol of Girl Scouts will not be too tiring for 

( 39 ) 


40 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


Miss Frean/^ Dorothy remarked, aware that 
the other girUs eyes were upon her and desiring 
to change the current of her thought. 

Tory paused reflectively. 

I do not think it will hurt her in the least, 
she announced. ^^You seem to forget that 
your father gave his consent to our meeting 
here a week ago and that Miss Mason, our 
Scout Captain, insisted on the delay. If 
Memory has recovered sufficiently to give 
up her trained nurse and submit to our 
ministrations for the past ten days, she is 
well enough for our tea party. The Girl 
Scouts have haunted the place ever since her 
illness. I suppose in a way it was a rehef 
when she and Dr. McClain agreed to allow us 
to do the nursing, provided only two of us at 
a time would take charge. I specially asked 
to have you with me, Dorothy, as we were 
together on the morning when we suffered 
such suspense.” 

Dorothy McClain straightened up and 
glanced around, the color slowly ebbing from 
her face and her clear eyes becoming disturbed 
and wistful. 

“I wish all suspense ended in so happy a 
fashion, Tory dear!” 

In her white cap and gown, with her dark 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 41 

eyes, slender face and full red lips, Tory 
appeared especially attractive. Her reddish 
gold hair, worn short, could not be tucked out 
of sight, but made a bright effect of contrasting 
color. 

She drew her brows together and frowned, 
not angrily but seriously. 

^'The other thing you are thinking of will 
turn out happily soon, Dorothy, I am sure. 
Lance is a dreamer and I suppose is selfish, 
but Christmas is nearly here and he cannot 
let the Christmas season go by without writing 
your father and you where he is and what he 
is doing. It would be too hateful and too 
ungrateful!’’ 

The other girl shook her head. 

^^You don’t know Lance as I do, Tory, 
although you may believe you understand each 
other because you both possess the artistic 
temperament, or think you possess it. Lance 
will never willingly let us know what has 
become of him until he has accomplished at 
least a portion of what he hoped for. You 
need not think he does not suffer and long for 
father and Don and me. But he realized 
this before he went away and decided at last 
he could not endure to wait longer for a 
chance to study his beloved music. Lance 


42 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


used so often to tell me music was not like 
the other arts; unless one learned when one 
was young there was no opportunity after- 
wards/’ 

^^Then you forgive Lance for all he has 
made you and your father and Don suffer? 
You do care for him more than your other 
brothers? ” 

The girl who had been questioned shook 
her head thoughtfully. 

don’t know. I have not been able to 
make up my mind; perhaps I shall know some 
day. I only said I understood. If we could 
only be sure that Lance would send for some 
one or let us know if he were ill, father and I 
would be less miserable! We both realize 
that is just what Lance will never do. If 
he has made a mistake, he will feel he should 
pay for it. But please, Tory, let us talk of 
something else. I want to forget everything 
but our Scout meeting this afternoon. You 
have finished the bread and I’ll butter it. 
The chocolate will keep warm at the back of 
the stove. Suppose you see if Miss Frean 
wishes anything before the girls and Miss 
Mason arrive.” 

Appreciating that Dorothy really wished to 
be alone for a few moments, Tory slipped away. 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


43 


The only girl in a family of six brothers, 
Dorothy McClain held a peculiar affection 
for one of the brothers nearest her own age. 
Donald and Lance McClain were twins, and 
yet totally unlike in appearance and char- 
acter. Donald was, like his sister, taU, with 
chestnut hair and blue eyes, and a love for 
athletic sports and the outdoors. Simple 
and normal in their habits and tastes, it had 
not always been easy for them to endure the 
vagaries of Lance, in spite of their devotion 
to him. The odd member of the family, 
Lance McClain had a passionate devotion 
for music with which no one of them could 
sympathize. He did not seem possessed of 
a remarkable genius; at least his father con- 
sidered that he had only talent, and that music 
was no profession for a boy who was forced 
to earn his own living. 

With six sons and a daughter. Dr. McClain, 
a village physician, did not see how it would be 
possible to give the delicate, erratic boy the 
musical education he would require. A few 
weeks before Lance had disappeared from his 
home in the small town of Westhaven, and 
so far no word had come from him. Remem- 
bering that he had threatened to spend the 
winter in New York, there could be but little 
doubt that he was in hiding there. 


44 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


To-day the living-room of the House in the 
Woods was more than ordinarily lovely. Its 
simplicity, which approached austerity, was 
relieved by half a dozen vases and bowls of 
flowers. The eye fell at once upon a bouquet 
of red roses and violets in the center of a table 
near a big chair where a woman was half 
seated and half reclining. An open book was 
in her hands. 

Tor}^ looked from one to the other. 

She was aware that the older woman had 
become handsomer since her illness. The 
heavy dark hair was more carefully arranged, 
since Tory herself was responsible for it. 
The weeks of rest and, had the girl known it, 
companionship, as well as other things, had 
softened and made more gentle the strong 
face with the blue, serious eyes. 

'^You appear to have grown into a very 
popular person in Westhaven, Memory,’^ 
Tory said irrelevantly, ^^and yet I recall that 
at our first meeting I was made to believe 
by you that you possessed only a few friends 
in the village. I wonder why you thought 
this? Please put down what you are reading 
and tell me.’^ 

Miss Frean closed her book. 

‘^Do you know, Tory, that since I have been 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


45 


nursed by seven of the eight girls of your 
Eagle's Wing Patrol and the one Girl Guide 
who is a guest of honor, I have reached this 
conclusion: You are the most autocratic 

of the group, even if your manner now and 
then conceals the fact. Still, you saved my 
life, didn't you, dear? I consider you saved 
it, spending the night here and coming to 
search for me, and the first aid you gave me 
before any one else was here to help. So I 
presume I owe you thanks." 

The girl shook her head. 

have explained to you half a dozen 
times. Memory, that it was Uncle Richard 
who saved you, not I. I had made up my 
mind I did not dare face the storm alone, 
when he made his unexpected appearance at 
your door. It is not like you to seem so un- 
wilhng to be grateful to him. I told him 
that you said he was not to send you flowers 
every day. As he made no answer, I don't 
think he intends to obey. Still, you have not 
answered my question." 

^'Oh, yes, I have, Tory. I was unpopular 
in the village before we made friends and I 
became a member of your Girl Scout Council. 
Don't you hear the others coming? I am as 
excited as a girl having a first party." 


46 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


Miss Frean crossed the room toward the 
window. She wore a dress of heavy blue 
silk, made simply, with a cord as a 
girdle. Tory had insisted upon her buying 
the dress, as she owned no proper costume in 
which to be a convalescent. As a matter of 
fact, Tory had made the discovery that the 
older woman was not so poor as the simplicity 
of her living made one believe. She was 
possessed of only a small income, but had 
written several books upon birds and flowers 
under an assumed name which increased the 
amount. This she did not care to have people 
know. She preferred bestowing the money 
upon persons who were in need without 
allowing them to guess the source. 

^^You are a beauty. Memory Frean! I 
did not think so when I first knew you,’’ 
Tory remarked, following her friend to the 
window and drawing her back toward the 
warmer shelter of the room. 

‘^Remember, please. Dr. McClain says you 
are not yet to expose yourself to the cold. 
It was dreadfully stupid of any one who 
knows as much as you do of the outdoors to 
have attempted to reach home in such a 
storm as you dared. Henceforth in spite of 
your nature lore you will have sometimes to 
do what you are told.” 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


47 


Leaning over, the older woman gave Tory 
a sudden, unexpected embrace. Demonstra- 
tion was unusual with her. 

“You flatter and scold in the same breath, 
Tory. I am glad you think I am prettier. 
No woman ever grows too old or too sensible 
not to wish to hear this compliment. 

“Now I am convinced I hear our visitors; 
please open the front door, if I am not to be 
allowed to do it.’^ 

An hour later eight girls, their hostess and 
Sheila Mason, the Scout Captain, were seated 
close together, facing the log fire. 

“I think you might tell your dream now, 
Tory,^' Miss Frean suggested, half amused 
and half serious. 

“My dream? Tory answered, bright spots 
of color showing in her ordinarily pale cheeks. 
“I studied the background of my dream on 
the long winter night when I stayed here 
alone awaiting Memory Frean’s return.’^ 


I 


CHAPTER V 

CHRISTMAS EVE 

N ot long after, the Christmas holidays 
began. Any number of entertain- 
ments would be given in Westhaven 
in which the Girl Scouts of the Eaglets Wing 
would be included. One evening they in- 
tended to make peculiarly their own. 

In several homes in the village they felt 
perfectly privileged to hold their meetings, 
to give parties, or do whatever the occasion 
required. 

Miss Victoria Fenton having learned the 
purpose and the influence of the Scouts, the • 
old Fenton house was at any time at their ; 
disposal. Mrs. Peters, Joan’s mother, had ^ 
urged the girls to come at any time to their 
old-fashioned cottage, wide and empty, which 
sat some distance back from the street, offer- | 
ing a fine, open space for the outdoor drill and » 
signalings. 

Sheila Mason, the Troop Captain, was an 
only daughter, and her parents among the 
wealthiest families in Westhaven. If for no 

( 48 ) 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


49 


other reason than the miracle Mrs. Mason 
insisted had been wrought in her daughter’s 
life by her work among the Girl Scouts, she 
would have freely given up her home to their 
use at a moment’s notice. Months before 
Sheila Mason seemed to have lost all 
interest in life, when her lover, to whom she 
had been engaged, was killed at the battle of 
Chateau-Thierry. Persuaded by the first 
Patrol of Girl Scouts in Westhaven to become 
their Captain, so engrossed had she grown in 
her work and in the girls themselves that 
oftentimes her former happy nature reap- 
peared. 

Members of their Council, made up of the 
most prominent and interesting people in 
Westhaven, were glad to be of service at 
any time. 

Nevertheless, when a choice had to be made 
of a place for their Christmas entertainment 
there was not one dissenting voice: Memory 
Frean’s little House in the Woods! Here was 
an intimacy and an atmosphere they found 
nowhere else. 

Moreover, as the character of the entertain- 
ment was to be a secret from all outsiders, 
it was much simpler to manage at a distance 
from town. Memory Frean was well again 


50 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


and as interested in their idea as the girls 
themselves. 

Certainly the living-room at the House in 
the Woods was so transformed on the after- 
noon of Christmas Eve that one would never 
have recognized it. The walls were massed 
with pine and cedar and holly. 

Raised upon a dais was an arm chair covered 
with a piece of tapestry worked in gold 
dragons. 

Below, and filling the entire center of the 
room, was a circular table. 

Extending around the walls of the room 
were eight banners of silver cloth, bearing no 
inscriptions save an embroidered design of 
an eagle’s wing. 

Crossed over the mantel were the American 
flag and the flag of the Girl Scout Troop. 

At nine o’clock there was a pealing of 
Christmas bells that swung like a censer above 
the roimd table from which a white dove 
also was suspended. 

Shall we read Kara’s poem that she sent 
from the hospital in New York as a greeting 
to us before we begin the other cermony? ” 
Tory Drew inquired. 

She wore an unusual costume, but one 
exactly like the rest of the girls. It was com- 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


51 


posed of a stiff material, a silver cloth of cotton 
and silk. Cut in straight lines, it had no 
ornamentation save a silver girdle about an 
inch wide and loosely tied about the waist. 

Undoubtedly the costumes were striking 
and original and strangely becoming. 

have asked Margaret Hale to read 
Kara’s verse, for one reason because she will 
do it so much better than I, and for another 
because I so regret Kara’s not being with us 
to-night of all nights that I do not trust my- 
self. I was to tell you that Kara writes she 
is not under the impression that she is a poet. 
Being in a hospital several months has forced 
her to spend so much time alone that she 
devotes many hours to thinking of us and our 
holiday together last summer in Beechwood 
Forest.* Small wonder that Kara is more 
devoted to the evergreen cottage than the rest 
of us because of its association with her past! ” 

Margaret Hale arose. She was a tall, fair 
girl of about fifteen who had been first chosen 
Patrol Leader because of her influence over 
the other girls. To-night her hair was bound 
close about her head in broad plaits. With 
her simple, severe costume the effect was more 
like an old picture than a modern girl. 

* Sec “Girl Scouts in Beechwood Forest.” 


52 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


She read in an agreeable voice: 

‘‘Through aisles of spreading beeches,^ 

^Mid tangle of pendent vine, 

A brown road curves and reaches 
Up hillside dark with pine. 

“Shelter from scorching sunshine, 

Haven when days are drear. 

Its slogan : Do a good turn 
All ye who enter here. 

“Nights when the red logs are roaring 
Nights when the flame leaps high. 

The bright sparks snapping and soaring, 

Think of me as close by. 

“In the midst of holiday meetings 
Radiant with hope and cheer, 

A Lone Scout sends you greetings 
For Christmas and the New Year.” 

Wlien the girls had ceased discussing the 
little poem and Karats accident the summer 
before, followed a sudden silence of intense 
and almost painful suspense. 

Sheila Mason, the Troop Captain, leaned 
over. Her hands were clasped tightly to- 
gether. Only a few years over twenty, with 
pale-gold hair and delicate features, she was 
not much older in appearance than several 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


53 


of her own Scouts. In fact, her own unfitness 
for her position had troubled her greatly in 
the early days of her work as a Captain. 
Of late she had become so absorbed in the 
work that the fear of her own unfitness only 
affected her occasionally. 

‘'Before we begin what I think is going to 
be a rare and wonderfully beautiful occasion, 
I want to talk to you for a few moments. 

“We were all, and I equally so, fascinated 
with Tory^s idea that for this winter we 
organize our Patrol of Girl Scouts into ‘The 
Girl Scouts of the Round Table’ — each one 
of us to bear the name of one of the Knights 
of the Round Table and to promise among 
ourselves to perform whatever acts of valor 
and service we are able. 

“The suggestion was fanciful, as most of 
Tory’s suggestions are, yet at first I saw no 
reason to object. Later I began to be troubled 
for fear it might in some fashion interfere with 
our Girl Scout principles and organization. 
I wrote to the National Headquarters ex- 
plaining the situation and asking for informa- 
tion and advice. I assured them that under 
no circumstances would we be willing to break 
any rule of the organization. Our desire was 
to play a kind of idealized game, or something 


54 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


more than a game, which would last through 
the winter rather than through a single 
evening. 

merely wanted to tell you we have re- 
ceived their consent and they are deeply 
interested. Now it is growing late and we 
must begin. 

An unusual solemnity fell upon the little 
company. 

The girls remained seated at the round table. 

Sheila Mason arose and, flushing, partly 
from embarrassment and partly from nervous- 
ness, slowly ascended the raised platform and 
took her seat in the chair covered with a 
cloth of gold. She was wearing a costume 
strikingly unlike any other. It was bright 
red in color, while about her fair hair was a 
band of gold. 

Withdrawing from the group. Miss Frean 
found a place nearer the fire, but facing the 
eight girls about the round table. To-night 
her dark hair was powdered to give a sugges- 
tion of greater age. Her toilet was a strange 
one, a green and brown smock, with strange 
symbols covering it, the moon and stars, and 
signs of the Zodiac. She was not to be one 
of the Knights of the new Round Table, 
knighted this evening in the House in the 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


55 


Woods. Instead she represented Merlin, 
the wise man, who ^^ever served the King 
through magic art . ^ ^ 

Sheila Mason was King Arthur, “robed 
in red samite easily to be known. 

No formal rehearsal had taken place of the 
mystic ceremony the Patrol of Girl Scouts 
intended to reproduce upon this Christmas 
Eve. Certain details and preparations, of 
course, had been arranged. 

A misfortune that there was no audience 
to behold the little company at this moment! 

The big room was beautiful with banners 
and evergreens. There were no lights save 
the firelight and the seven branched candle- 
sticks upon the mantel and table. The odd 
costumes, the strange colors, the ardent 
faces about the round table made an unfor- 
getable picture. 

Outside, the night was clear and cold and 
still, with a crescent moon in the sky. 

Great had been the discussion of the choice 
of Knight to be allotted each Girl Scout. 
In the end the final decision had been left to 
the Troop Captain. At present no girl knew 
the Knight she would portray until her name 
was called and she went forward to receive 
her investiture. 


56 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


From her chair by the crimson and 
golden flames Memory Frean at this instant 
repeated : 

^^Then the King in low, deep tones, 

And simple words of great authority, 

Bound them by so strait vows to his own self, 

That when they rose, knighted from kneeling, some 
Were pale as at the passing of a ghost. 

Some flushed, and others dazed, as one who wakes 
Half-blinded at the coming of a light/’ 

^ ^Margaret Hale/’ 

Surprised by hearing her own name before 
the others, Margaret Hale hesitated. She 
then arose and, biting her lips to hide their 
trembling, went forward and kneeled before 
the Troop Captain. 

Lightly Miss Mason, as King Arthur, 
touched her upon the shoulder with the point 
of a silver sword, exclaiming: 

“ Bold Sir Bedivere, first made of all the Knights, 
Strike, thou art worthy of the Table Round.” 

Returning to her place, Joan Peters fol- 
lowed Margaret, repeating the little act of 
homage before the golden chair and hearing 
the words: 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


57 


^‘Sir Percival, whom Arthur and his knighthood called 
the Pure.’^ 

Tory Drew came forward to be appointed 
the third Knight. She looked as if she were 
dreaming, as if unaware that they were only 
going through a picturesque ceremony as an 
unusual Christmas entertainment. Of course 
they intended to add a new element of ro- 
mance and of service to their work, but no one 
of the other girls appeared so deeply affected. 

Miss Mason was conscious of this, so that 
Tory^s attitude influenced her own. More- 
over, Tory’s short red-gold hair, her white 
face with the wide dark eyes and slender chin 
to-night wore an expression of singular ardor 
and intensity. 

The Troop Captain and her friends knew 
that Tory through her vivid imagination had 
overleaped the bounds of centuries. She saw 
in vague outline not her own Girl Scouts and 
Miss Mason, not the dearly beloved room in 
the House in the Woods transformed to suit 
their purpose, but a castle in Britain, King 
Arthur and his famous Knights. 

Miss Mason had chosen for Tory the one 
Knight in all the Table Round who seeks and 
finds the Holy Grail. 


58 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


“Galahad: 

And one there was among us, ever moved 
Among us in white armour, Galahad. 

^God make thee good as thou art beautiful,* 

Said Arthur when he dubbed him knight.** 

When the winter evening had passed into 
a memory, there was a never-ending argument 
as to which one of the eight girls made the 
most impressive Knight. Of the three who 
stood out from the rest, Dorothy McClain 
was perhaps the favorite. 

Her height and athletic figure, the slender, 
upright shoulders and the upward lift of her 
head gave her a kind of frank and boyish air. 
She was more conscious than Tory of herseh 
and her surroundings, for she flushed hotly. 
Then the color left her cheeks after her 
investiture: 

“Gareth, the last tall son of Lot and Bellicent. 

A knight of Arthur working out his will. 

Follow the Christ, the King, 

Live pure, speak true, right wrong. 

Else wherefore born?** 

Teresa Peterson felt pleased with the selec- 
tion the Troop Captain made for her. Not 
that she saw any particular meaning in the 
ceremony, save that it was picturesque and 
afforded an opportunity for wearing a fancy 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


59 


costume. She was looking forward with 
keener anticipation to the dance Margaret 
Hale was to give the Girl and Boy Scouts later 
in the Christmas holidays. 

Nevertheless, her dusky face with soft curl- 
ing, dark hair and pouting lips appeared 
serene and good-humored as she accepted her 
new title. 

“Pelleas, and the sweet smell of the fields 
Past, and the sunshine came along with him. 
Make me thy knight, because I know, Sir Kin g , 
All that belongs to knighthood. And I love 
This new Knight, Sir Pelleas of the Isles. 

Edith Linder became Tristram: 

^‘One knight 

And armoured all in forest green, whereon 
There tript a hundred tiny silver deer. 

And wearing but a holly spray for crest 
With ever scattering berries, and a shield, 

A harp, a spear, a bugle. 

Sir Tristram of the Woods.^^ 

Characteristic of Louise Miller that a burn- 
ing sense of her own awkwardness and un- 
worthiness almost destroyed the pleasure she 
would otherwise have felt in her knighthood! 

“In the midnight and flourish of his May, 
Gawain, surnamed the Courteous, 

Fair and strong.’’ 


60 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


Martha Greaves, the English Girl Guide, 
who had spent the previous summer in Beech- 
wood Forest with the Girl Scouts of the 
Eagle’s Wing, had not returned to her home 
in England with the close of the summer. She 
had no parents to call her back and preferred 
to remain until the return to Westhaven of 
Tory Drew’s father and stepmother; the lat- 
ter was her cousin and nearest relative. She 
was not, however, living with Tory in the old 
Fenton homestead, but boarding with Mr. and 
Mrs. Peters, Joan’s father and mother. 

Martha had insisted that she had no place 
in to-night’s ceremony, notwithstanding the 
fact that as an English girl she might have 
a closer historical claim than the others. 
However, she yielded to the persuasion of the 
Girl Scouts. This evening she had discarded 
her Girl Guide uniform and wore the knightly 
costume of the others: 

“Geraint, 

The brave Geraint, a knight of Arthur’s court. 

Wearing neither hunting dress 

Nor weapon, save a golden-hilted brand, 

A purple scarf, at either end whereof 
There swung an apple of the purest gold.” 


CHAPTER VI 


A CHRISTMAS DANCE 

HE ceremony of the Knights of the 



Round Table had proved more serious 


in character than the Girl Scouts had 
anticipated. Margaret Hale’s dance, which 
occurred the evening following Christmas, 
came as a pleasant contrast. 

Her home was a large modem one with 
drawing-rooms opening into each other. 
About fifty guests were invited, the entire 
Troop of Girl Scouts of the Eagle’s Wing, the 
Boy Scouts, who were personal friends of 
Margaret and her younger sisters, and a few 
outside friends. 

The dance was called “a small and early.” 
The guests were invited from eight until 
twelve. The fashion of arriving late and 
remaining until toward morning did not meet 
with the approval of the host and hostess. 

To assist in making a success of this idea, 
Margaret’s own Patrol of Scouts had promised 
to arrive promptly. 

Mr. Fenton was to escort Tory to the dance. 


( 61 ) 


THE GIKL SCOUTS 


m 

and had promised to stay for an hour as a 
spectator. 

Donald McClain had asked Tory to go with 
him, explaining that his sister Dorothy was to 
be escorted by one of their boy friends. Tory 
had declined. She had experienced some 
diflSculty in inducing her uncle to be present 
at a dancing party. He had not attended one 
in twenty years. Moreover, they had prom- 
ised to drive out to the House in the Woods 
and bring Miss Frean back with them. 

Don seemed hurt, even a little angry, and 
Tory was puzzled. Later, she concluded that 
he and Dorothy were both so unhappy over 
Lancets disappearance that they were unlike 
themselves. She was delighted when Dorothy 
told her afterwards that Don was to take 
Teresa in her stead. Teresa would be happy 
and, Tory thought, a better partner. 

The eight girls in the Patrol that now 
included the English girl, Martha Greaves, 
a temporary substitute for Katherine Moore, 
had agreed to dress in white with coral- 
colored ribbons. 

Kara had written a rather pathetic little 
note of refusal to Margaret^s invitation from 
her hospital in New York. Before the acci- 
dent that caused her lameness she had loved 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


63 


dancing more than any one of her friends. 
Now at Christmas time it was particularly 
hard to feel always resigned and cheerful. 
Only one fact gave her courage. Tory Drew^s 
Christmas gift from Mr. Fenton was to be a 
trip to New York to see her. Recently he 
had included Dorothy McClain in the invita- 
tion. Mr. Fenton and Dr. McClain had been 
friends since boyhood, and Dorothy appeared 
in need of a change for the first time in her life. 

Among the dancers the eight Girl Scouts of 
the one Patrol were easily distinguished from 
the others. Their white gowns with coral 
ribbons showed plainly among the rainbow- 
hued toilets of their friends. 

The dance was informal and there were no 
programs. Nevertheless, toward the latter 
part of the evening Tory Drew was troubled 
by the fact that it was after ten o^clock and 
Donald had not asked her for a single dance. 

Soon after their arrival they had bowed 
and smiled to each other over the heads of the 
dancers and Donald had not appeared angry. 
Tory had not given this idea any consideration 
at the time. She had merely thought how 
handsome and strong Don looked, and what 
an admirable contrast he and Teresa made. 

Don was so tall and fair, mth clear blue eyes 


64 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


and fresh skin, and Teresa like a colorful 
flower with her dusky hair and dark eyes and 
brilliant rose cheeks. She was small and her 
figure prettily rounded. Best of all, Teresa 
had never seemed happier! She wore a small 
bunch of violets at her waist that Tory 
recognized as coming from the hotbed that 
was Don’s especial pride and pleasure. He 
had brought the violets in from the woods, 
built the glass house that sheltered them and 
devoted a certain time each day to their care. 

Occasionally Tory had been presented with 
a small offering of Don’s violets, but never 
so many as Teresa wore to-night. 

In the midst of a dance with one of the Boy 
Scouts in Don’s Patrol, Tom Oliver, an 
especial friend of her own, Tory felt confused 
and annoyed. 

How quickly Teresa was able to transfer 
her liking from one brother to the other! 
They were not in the least similar in manner 
or appearance, in spite of being twins, so this 
excuse could not be offered. Yet undoubtedly 
Teresa had been especially friendly with 
Lance McClain during the past summer in 
Beechwood Forest. 

Then Tory’s partner made some remark and 
she forgot what she had been thinking. It 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


65 


was the merest chance that she was again 
dancing with Tom Oliver, more than an hour 
after, when the reflection that Donald had 
ignored her all evening recurred with especial 
force. Tory was fond of Don, and sorry. 

Toward the close of this same dance, Tom 
OHver felt an unexpected touch on his arm. 
He paused. 

^Hf Tory is willing when you have finished 
this dance, may I speak to her?” Donald in- 
quired. 

Tory nodded, feeling a mingled sense of 
pleasure and uncertainty. 

Why was Don so serious? He had not 
appeared so an hour, not a half hour before. 
Had he recently received bad news? Could 
anything have been heard from Lance? 

Tory’s eyes wandered among the dancers 
until she caught sight of Dorothy McClain, 
tall and fair and handsome. She looked 
more cheerful than in some time past, not 
less so. Therefore whatever information may 
have come to Don, he had not yet imparted 
to his sister. It then occurred to Tory 
that Don might be wishing to tell her first 
and ask her help. 

She was glad when her own dance was finish- 
ed and Don was found standing at her elbow. 


66 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


^^Come on, Tory, please, I want to talk to 
you and I think I know a halfway quiet place,^^ 
he announced, and led the way. 

Accustomed to Don^s directness, without 
thinking of disputing it, Tory slipped out 
after him, avoiding speaking or catching the 
eye of any one who might stop them even 
for a moment. 

The quiet spot was a pile of cushions under 
the bend of the long flight of stairs, partly 
concealed by palms. 

Even after they were comfortably settled 
Don did not speak immediately. 

Accustomed to his slowness, Tory did not 
ordinarily object, but to-night she was impa- 
tient. 

^^What is it, Don? You have not come 
near me all evening ! Have you had word from 
Lance that he is not well or that anything has 
happened to him? Please tell me at once.^^ 

StiU for another moment there was no 
answer, and afterwards Tory was too startled 
by Don^s answer to reply. 

Immediately Don apologized. 

am sorry, Tory. I ought not to have 
said such a thing to you or to any one else. 
So far as I can recall I never made such a 
hateful speech about Lance in my life. I 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


67 


hope I never will again. But this business of 
Lance’s behaving hke a kid of five or six years 
old has been too much for me. It is the worst 
thing that has happened in our family since 
my mother’s death. 

“The rest of us have always suspected 
Lance was father’s favorite, chiefly because 
he looks like my mother and has been so 
delicate. Since Lance cleared out there is no 
doubt of the matter. Father has grown to 
look ten years older in these last few weeks. 
He says he is not going to look for Lance, 
that when he has had enough he will come 
home. Just the same, he does not have a 
moment free from uneasiness. He is crazy to 
find Lance, and I know he wants you and 
Dorothy to search for him when you go up 
to New York for your holiday. Wish I were 
coming along! Not that I’d waste any time 
troubling to find Lance. He deserves what- 
ever comes to him. He always was an idiot, 
but I did not dream such a one sis he hsts 
proved himself.” 

In spite of Don’s almost sullen manner 
Tory partly understood his state of mind. 
In the year of their acquaintance, living across 
the street from each other, and Tory one of 
his sister’s most intimate friends, she had 


68 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


appreciated many points about Don that 
most people failed to realize. 

He hated to see people unhappy and would 
make almost any sacrifice to save them from 
unhappiness, provided he could grasp the 
cause of their trouble. In any and every 
iUness Lance had suffered during their boy- 
hood, Don had devoted himself to his whims. 
He had admired Lance’s cleverness, his sense 
of humor, even his talent for music up to 
the present. Now he was puzzled and 
troubled and resentful. If he had not thought 
Lance as selfish as the rest of the family 
considered him, now he believed him more so. 

^^You see, Tory, no one talks or thinks of 
any one but Lance at our house these days, 
if father is not around. Dot has nearly made 
herself ill worrying over him. Now when I 
have something rather special I want to con- 
fide to you and have been trying for the oppor- 
tunity all evening, you begin by asking about 
Lance and looking nervous and miserable. 

Lance McClain is under the impression 
that he has such a talent for music he can’t 
five any longer without his chance. Maybe ' 
he thinks that music can’t Uve without 
him. It is the biggest — well, I won’t say what, 

I ever heard of in my life. I give him about 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


69 


two months more of half -starving to death 
in New York and he never will want to hear 
the word music again/’ 

Tory shook her head. 

''No use trying to argue the matter with 
you, Don. You won’t agree with me, but you 
are mistaken about Lance. 

"Let us not talk about him any more. 
Please tell me the something 'rather special’ 
you intended to tell me. I am dying to hear. 
And I am awfully glad you have not been 
angry and avoided me on purpose during the 
evening.” 

Donald’s clear fresh skin colored. He 
seemed mollified by Tory’s little friendly 
speech and sHghtly ashamed of his own 
unusual attitude. 

He admired Tory Drew more than any one 
of Dorothy’s friends. She might not be so 
pretty as several of the others; he had no way 
of knowing, since to him she possessed so 
much more interest and charm. 

He liked her pallor, the red-gold of her hair 
and her wide, friendly dark eyes. She did 
not seem to have a trace of self-consciousness 
li^e SO many other girls. Nor did Don con- 
sider that she had half as much vanity as she 
had the right to reveal. She had seen so 


70 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


much more of the world, traveling abroad 
with her artist father until her arrival in 
Westhaven the year before, small wonder that; 
her manners were attractive. 

“It is only a small matter after all, Tory. 
I have been voted the most popular fellow in 
my class and chosen Class President for the 
year. What a duffer I sound telling you in 
this fashion! After all, I suppose I am more 
of an ass than Lance. And by the way, Tory, 
it is not true I would not search for him if I 
had a chance or go to him if he is in trouble. 
I suppose you are right. He may be a kind 
of a halfway genius and an ordinary fellow 
like I am canT be expected to understand him. 

“You^ll dance with me as often as you can 
for the rest of the evening?’’ Tory agreed. 


CHAPTER VII 


A CITY OF TOWERS 

N either Dorothy McClain nor Vic- 
toria Drew possessed any real ac- 
quaintance with New York City. 
Dorothy had been there only once as a little 
girl of six years old on a shopping expedition 
with her mother. Tory had arrived in New 
York with the friends from on board the 
steamer that sailed from Cherbourg. She 
had, however, spent only a single night at a 
hotel, leaving next morning for Westhaven, 
a few hours’ journey away. 

Therefore, the ride into the city was not 
sufficiently long to cover the emotions it held 
for both girls. They were to spend four or 
five days in the city, that Mr. Fenton declared 
the most beautiful and stimulating in the 
world. 

Tory did not agree with Mr. Fenton’s 
estimate of New York, but she was willing 
to be convinced. 

He was interested to watch the effect the 
great city might have upon Tory’s impres- 

( 71 ) 


72 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


sionable nature, believing that Dorothy^s 
quieter outlook would prove a comfortable 
balance. 

The day was clear; there was no trace of 
the snowstorms that had left patches of snow 
upon the fields and gardens of Westhaven. 

Driving up Fifth Avenue to their hotel, a 
little beyond the center of Manhattan Island, 
the atmosphere appeared more glistening than 
the white face of the snow. The sun struck 
golden rays across the high buildings, their 
towers seemed to swim in a clear light with a 
deep blue sky above. 

The people came and went so rapidly on 
the sidewalks that Tory and Dorothy were 
aghast. Neither said anything, yet they were 
grateful when a policeman halted the traffic 
and they were able to get a more steadfast 
view of their surroundings. 

Tory^s face shone, her dark eyes widened, 
her lips parted with that eager expression of 
desire that her uncle loved and a little feared. 
No one who had not known him as a boy 
would have believed that he too once pos- 
sessed her ardent interest in life. He had let 
so much slip by him — a home, a family, a 
career. Were it possible, he did not intend 
that Tory should sacrifice so much! 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


73 


It is a wonder city, a city of towers, Uncle 
Richard,’’ Tory whispered. am not sure 
I like it so well as London and Paris. Some- 
how it reminds me a little of both, and yet 
is like neither.” 

Dorothy laughed. 

^^You know, Mr. Fenton, that sounds as 
Tory’s speeches so often do. So many ideas 
come to her at once that she pours them out in 
a single breath and makes her audience gather 
up the lost threads. 

^'If Lance is working here in New York 
I do not believe he is so unhappy as Don and 
I usually think he is.” 

Nothing save luncheon and placing their 
suitcases in their room kept the two girls 
from going directly to Kara. 

Tory had written her to say they would 
appear early in the afternoon. 

The hospital was some distance uptown, 
but they reached it in an amazingly short 
time by the subway. 

Mr. Fenton escorted the girls, but left them 
at the hospital entrance, promising to return 
later. 

Tory’s arms were filled with red roses she 
had purchased from the florist on the comer 
after they left the subway. Dorothy’s gift 


74 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


was more modest, a bunch of claret-colored 
grapes. 

Nevertheless, at the threshold of the hospital 
the girls halted. 

don’t know exactly why, but I rather 
dread going in, don’t you, Tory?” Dorothy 
murmured. ^^Oh, well, I presume you are 
not so stupid! For a doctor’s daughter, I am 
singularly nervous about illness. And I never 
have grown accustomed to the thought of 
Kara’s misfortune.” 

The other girl shook her head. 

Let’s not talk of it now. Kara is waiting 
and might guess how we feel.” 

Receiving uncertain directions from a nurse, 
the visitors wandered down a scrupulously 
sanitary hall, to knock timidly upon a door, 
numbered 17. 

It was Kara’s voice that answered: '^Come 
in.” 

When the door opened she moved toward 
them on two crutches, very timid and haltingly 

Before they could do more than exclaim, she 
seated herself in a chair, the old humorous 
expression about the comers of her lips and 
eyes reappearing. 

I am not a pedestrian yet. But this is bet- 
ter than sitting still forever. Come here and 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


75 


let me embrace you both at once. Dorothy, 
please see that Tory does not weep and spoil 
my red roses. I suppose they are mine.^^ 

After a little the girls found cushions and 
placed themselves on the floor at Karats feet. 

“Now tell me every single thing that has 
happened since I left/’ she said. “Don’t 
think anything is too unimportant.” 

“But, Kara, won’t you tell us first? It is 
so hard to wait,” Tory pleaded. 

No need to inquire what she meant. 

The thin face with the beautiful gray eyes 
and long dark lashes, the lips grown thinner 
and less colorful in these past months, slowly 
parted. 

“There is not so much to tell you as I hoped 
when I wrote you. Waiting and hoping are 
still my passwords. 

“I am far happier. See the lovely things 
I have made! I have been practicing dress- 
making and weaving and basket-making, 
whatever I can do with my hands. I want 
you to take what you wish for gifts and show 
the rest to our Girl Scout Council so that I 
may pass my proficiency tests. I am afraid 
I cannot manage to be a First Class Scout so 
soon as the other girls, but I don’t want to 
fall too far behind.” 


76 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


the decision were mine you would be a 
First Class Scout now, Kara. By the way, 
we have brought you a banner.’’ Dorothy 
unrolled a package. 

It revealed one of the banners that had 
hung among the evergreens high up on the 
wall of the House in the Woods on Christmas 
Eve. 

We were to declare you one of the Knights 
of our Round Table, Kara.” Tory smiled. 

have an order from King Arthur. Do you 
wish to be Sir Boris, whose eyes were an out- 
door sign of all the warmth within, or Sir 
Lancelot, ^his warrior, whom King Arthur 
loved and honored most, first in tournament’?” 

Kara’s shook her head with emphasis, her 
eyes resting with affection and amusement on 
one of the faces upturned toward hers. 

^^Good gracious, I don’t wish to be any 
kind of Knight of any Round Table! For me 
it is enough to be a Girl Scout. I am sure 
the idea of the Girl Scouts of the Round Table 
originated with you, Tory.” 

Tory flushed. 

^Wes, there isn’t any harm. The Girl 
Scout organization does not object. The truth 
is we were not so interested in our Girl Scout 
work this winter as we had been in the past. 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


77 


We missed being together at camp and the 
outdoor sports and opportunities. Then, too, 
we missed you, Kara. Miss Mason realized 
this and we talked things over together, 
wondering what we had best do. Then one 
night when I was alone at Miss Frean’s I 
read the story of the Round Table. Later 
we decided to have a Round Table of our 
own. Few of our wunter meetings can take 
place out of doors, so we have decided to 
hold our Patrol meetings about a round table. 
On our banners we can embroider whatever 
good deeds we have accomplished. The other 
girls are pleased with the idea, Kara, but you 
are always a practical person to the last.’^ 
am interested, Tory, only I am too much 
an outsider now to understand. 

have one important piece of news. 
Remember the letters found in the evergreen 
cottage at the close of our holiday in Beech- 
wood Forest? I gave them to Mr. Hammond 
for safe keeping, when I believed they had 
nothing to do with the fact that I was found 
deserted in the cabin years before. You know 
Mr. and Mrs. Hammond are in town and often 
bring Lucy to see me. 

''Well, the other day Mr. Hammond by 
chance observed an advertisement in a morn- 


78 


THE GmL SCOUTS 


ing paper signed with the name used in one 
of the old letters. The advertisement asked 
that some one from Westhaven communicate 
with the writer. Mr. Hammond wrote and is 
to see the person next week. Not one chance 
in a thousand that your humble servant is 
connected with the mystery! But Mr. Ham- 
mond and I decided that it was one way to 
keep oneself from being dull.^’ 

I am afraid it does not sound very hopeful, 
dear/^ Dorothy answered reluctantly. Would 
you like to hear about Lance? 

At this instant there was a knock on the 
door and before Kara could reply a nurse 
suggested that the visit must end. 

The girls might return another afternoon, 
but a half hour’s call was all that was allowed 
at one time. 


CHAPTER VIII 


THE CALL 

AMONG the excitements of Tory’s visit 
to New York was a caU she was to 
^ make upon an artist friend of hei 
father’s. 

Pleased with several of the sketches Tory 
had made during the past summer in camp, 
Mr. Drew desired an opinion upon her work 
from some one whose judgment he trusted. 
He knew himself to be too interested to be a 
good critic of his daughter’s gift. Now and 
then he believed himself too severe, that he 
expected more artistic gift than was possible 
in one of Tory’s age. Again he feared that 
his own devotion blinded him to conspicuous 
faults in her work. 

So Tory brought with her a letter from her 
father to PhUip Winslow. She was to call by 
appointment on a certain afternoon at his 
studio in the downtown section of the city. 

Dorothy accompanied her, and the two girls 
/discovered the house without difficulty, an 
old, somewhat dilapidated building, with the 

( 79 ) 


80 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


paint peeling from the house and a long flight 
of steps leading from the front door. 

Philip Winslow was not a successful artist 
from the standpoint of worldly prosperity. 
His painting had never met with the recogni- 
tion that his fellow-artists believed should have 
been his. He had, however, chosen to do the 
character of work he liked without considera- 
tion of the public. 

More popular and with a reputation in two 
continents, nevertheless Tory’s father con- 
sidered his friend a greater painter than him- 
self. If it were possible and he were willing 
at any time to accept her as a pupil, Mr. Drew 
greatly desired Tory to study with the other 
man. Armed with half a dozen sketches and 
her letter, Tory and Dorothy started up the 
long flight of steps. The house was five stories 
high. One saw from a large north window 
of glass that the studio was at the top. 

The girls had been going out constantly 
ever since their arrival, not only in the day- 
time, but nightly visits with Mr. Fenton to 
the different theaters. 

The excitement seemed not to have had 
any disastrous effect upon Tory; she was 
gayer and more full of energy and enthu- 
siasm with each passing hour. 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


81 


The same thing was not true of Dorothy 
McClain. Dorothy was an outdoor person 
who had always lived in a small village. The 
crowding, the noises and the restlessness of 
the city she found very tiring. 

On this especial expedition Tory had not 
considered it wise that Dorothy accompany 
her. At lunch she had observed how pale and 
weary she looked, suggesting that Dorothy lie 
down and try to sleep while she was making 
her visit. 

The proposal required a good deal of unself- 
ishness upon Tory^s part. Very especially 
she wished to have Dorothy with her during 
the approaching interview. 

She was nervous over meeting a strange 
artist and exhibiting her own work. The visit 
in itself would not have troubled her. She 
had heard her father talk of Philip Winslow 
many times. He owned several of the other 
man^s pictures. What was embarrassing was 
to show him her sketches. As each hour 
passed and the time drew nearer she became 
more convinced they had better have been 
relegated to the trash basket. 

She could not be sorry, therefore, when 
Dorothy utterly declined to consider the idea 
of giving up the trip. She had never been 


82 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


inside an artist’s studio in her entire existence, 
and she wanted to know what this artist 
thought of Tory’s gift. 

Moreover, Mr. Fenton had a business en- 
gagement at the same hour and would not 
have been willing to permit Tory to keep her 
appointment alone. 

In the climb up the stairs Dorothy chanced 
to be in the lead. Now and then she seemed 
tired and stopped for a moment to rest and 
get her breath. 

The character of the place was not the sur- 
prise to Tory that it was to the other girl. In 
Paris and London Tory had been in old houses 
converted into lodgings as poor and dark 
as the present one. She knew that one might 
open a door and find an apartment artistically 
furnished and extremely comfortable. Again, 
one might chance upon a room bare and sordid, 
if its occupant had been in ill luck and unable 
to dispose of a picture, a poem, or a play that 
he had thought he would be pretty sure to 
sell. 

At the end of the third flight of steps sud- 
denly Dorothy sat down. She was biting her 
hps and had grown so pale that Tory was 
alarmed. 

^^Grood gracious, Dorothy dear, what is the 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


SS 


matter? Can^t you go on? Had we best go 
back downstairs? Are you about to faint?’’ 

Dorothy shook her head and smiled. It 
was so like Tory to ask half a dozen questions 
at once. 

“No, nothing so dreadful as fainting. I 
had a sharp pain in my side and think I had 
best sit stiU a little while.” 

Dorothy’s color did not grow better. In- 
stead, she became whiter and caught hold of 
the railing for support, leaning her head 
against the banister. 

The other girl hesitated. Should she con- 
tinue on up the two additional flights of 
stairs and ask Mr. Winslow to come to their 
aid? Certainly Dorothy would to faint if 
nothing were done to revive her! Yet she 
really ought not to be left alone at present 
even for a few moments. 

Tory glanced up and down the stairs, 
hoping some one might be approaching from 
one or the other direction to whom she could 
appeal for help. 

She saw no one. She did, however, observe 
a door near the landing where Dorothy was 
seated standing ajar. From inside she could 
hear faint sounds of music, so some one must 
be at home. 


84 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


Tory was accustomed to acting upon im- 
pulse. She did not mention to her companion 
what she intended doing. She walked over 
and knocked on this door. No one replied. 
At the same instant the notes of music grew 
louder so that the musician could scarcely 
have heard. 

Tory pushed the door open. 

She then looked inside the room, planning 
to explain her behavior as soon as she could 
attract any one’s attention. 

She beheld a figure seated at a piano, with 
hands upon the keys and apparently oblivious 
of the world. 

Lance McClain, it cannot be you!” the 
girl exclaimed. 

There was stiU no answer. Dorothy 
McClain heard and managed to get up and 
come tow^ard the door which Tory had now 
opened widely. 

Both girls recognized Lance, although his 
back was turned toward them. 

He looked thinner. A sheet of music was 
on the rack before him and his head was 
upturned. Neither girl wished to disturb him 
at present, not until he had finished what he 
was playing. They did not move or speak 
again. 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


85 


Dorothy was not familiar with the music; 
she only realized that it was more beautiful 
and more ambitious than anything Lance had 
ever attempted to play at home. 

Tory recognized the Andante from Bee- 
thoven^s Fifth Symphony. She had heard it 
played by an orchestra and appreciated that 
the music was too great for Lance’s meager 
training. 

Still, there was something in his playing 
that held her spellbound and brought tears 
to her eyes and to Dorothy’s, who now had 
completely forgotten her discomfort of a short 
time before. 

One heard the movement that sounds like 
the rippling of many waters, then the siren 
call from the depth of the water and of life 
itself. At last the beautiful, triumphant finale. 

When Lance McClain ended he dropped 
his head on his hands. 

Lance!” Dorothy said softly. 

This time Lance jumped up as if in a sudden 
panic of fear. 

'^Good gracious. Dot! It can’t be you! I 
am not dreaming! I have had several con- 
founded dreams about you and father and 
Don lately. But you must be real, because 
here is Tory with you and it may not be polite 


86 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


of me, but I am obliged to say I have not 
dreamed about her. Who told you where to 
find me? I am as mad as a hornet and gladder 
than I have ever been over more than one or 
two things in my life. 

^^You did not hear me trying to murder 
that Andante, did you? I hope not. Wasn^t 
it awful the mistakes I made?^’ 

This was Lance, there was no doubting it, 
trying to carry off a difficult and painful 
situation with his old humor. 

Nevertheless he kept his arm tight about 
Dorothy’s shoulders and at this instant buried 
his head in her shoulder like a child. 

^^No use, Lance. I have already seen how 
badly you look,” Dorothy protested. “Please 
let us sit down somewhere while I tell you 
what you won’t believe. We found you 
merely by accident. Tory and I are in New 
York for a few days’ holiday with Mr. Fenton. 
I know Mr. Fenton has been trying to find 
news of you to take back to father, but has 
not succeeded. Tory, will you please tell how 
we happened to come to this building? One 
thing, Lance, I am glad to find you have such 
a charming room.” 

Dorothy sank down on a divan piled with 
sofa cushions, Lance and Tory sitting down 
beside her. 


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87 


“You don^t think these are my quarters, 
do you, Dot? That would be too good to be 
true/’ 

Tory made her explanation very brief. 

“Then if this is not your room, tell us every- 
thing from the hour you left home. What 
are you doing here and whose piano were you 
playing? I don’t believe you have had a real 
meal since you ran away.” 

“Don’t call it running away, please. Dot? 
Say I had to answer a desire that was too 
strong to be resisted. 

“I am afraid you and Tory will be disap- 
pointed at what I have to tell you. I wrote 
to several places in New York and had 
secured a position here before I lit out from 
home. It does not pay much and I knew 
father would never believe I could live on so 
small a sum. I understood he could not afford 
to give me anything outside and I have man- 
aged to live, somehow!” Lance murmured 
under his breath. “I am busy at odd hours 
and sometimes I have an afternoon free. This 
chanced to be one of them.” 

The boy’s expression altered. 

“I have not yet told you of my good luck, 
and I have had more than I deserve. You 
might as well know the truth. I am nothing 


88 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


but a messenger boy. One afternoon I came 
here to this room and heard some one playing 
on the piano, some one who really understood 
music. There wasn’t any doubt of that 
blessed fact. 

suppose I stood entranced, listening. 
Anyhow the musician seemed to guess how 
much I cared. We began talking and I was 
pretty homesick and wretched and must have 
poured out everything I was feeling at the 
time. The result was we became friends. I 
suppose I have the right to say friends. He 
gave me permission to come here and play on 
his piano when I had an opportunity. I have 
a key to the door and can come and go when 
I like. Something bigger and more wonderful, 
I am studying music with him two evenings a 
week. He gives me a lesson for as long a time 
as he can spare.” 

There was a new tone in Lance’s voice, a 
boyish admiration the two girls had never 
known him to feel for any one before. 

Tory recalled a phrase from ^The Idylls of 
the Kng”: ^^By all the sweet and sudden 
passion of youth; Toward greatness in its 
elder.” 

^^What is your friend’s name, Lance?” 
Dorothy asked with added gentleness. 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


8§ 

Lance had found not all, but a part of 
what he sought! 

Lance shook his head. 

had rather not tell you. I must ask 
permission first. Dorothy, I am afraid there 
is not much chance for me. I’ll never learn 
to be a real musician. I am nearly sixteen 
and too old.” 

^^Nonsense, Lance McClain!” Tory inter- 
rupted, not having taken much part in the 
conversation until the present moment. ^^Come 
on now upstairs with Dorothy and me. We 
are keeping Mr. Winslow waiting. I shall 
need your society to give me courage. After- 
wards you are to come back with Dorothy 
and me to our hotel to dinner. I will disappear 
for a while and you and Dorothy can have a 
real talk.” 


CHAPTER IX 


A STUDIO TEA 

T he following hour was one of the most 
delightful the two girls and Lance had 
ever spent. 

Overjoyed at meeting so unexpectedly, 
Lance’s reluctance forgotten in the joy of 
being with his sister and friend, the three 
of them also came in contact with a new and 
charming personality and in the midst of a 
new and beautiful environment. 

To Tory Drew an artist’s studio was not a 
new experience. She had lived with her father 
in several of their own. She had visited with 
him the studios of many feUow-artists. But 
to Dorothy and to Lance a studio outside 
Westhaven was a fresh interest. Although she 
could say no word aloud, undoubtedly Tory 
would have agreed that if other studios had 
been handsomer, never was one more original 
or charming. 

The room was in gray, a cold background 
with the northern window save for the warmth 
of the other coloring. 

At this hour the winter daylight was closing 
in and curtains were partly drawn; they were 

( 90 ) 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


91 


a curious shade, half rose, half red, and 
strangely luminous. 

On the gray walls were the artist’s own 
pictures. 

They were unlike modern work, and perhaps 
for this reason less popular. In landscapes 
and in portraiture the tones were richer and 
darker. 

Expecting two of his three guests, Mr. 
Winslow had prepared for tea. 

An enormous lounge, large enough for sleep- 
ing and with a high back, was drawn up in 
front of a meager fire. Wood was expensive 
in New York City and Phihp Winslow an 
unsuccessful artist. 

The small tea table held an array of china 
with scarcely two pieces alike, yet each one 
rarely lovely and gathered with care and 
taste in the years when their owner had stud- 
ied in France and Italy. There he had won 
the Prix de Rome. Not in those days did he 
dream of hving on the top floor of a dilapi- 
dated house, in a cheap quarter of the greatest 
of American cities. 

The teakettle was boiling. One could hear 
the hissing behind the oriental curtains that 
shut off a single corner of the room. 

After greeting their new acquaintance and 


92 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


explaining the reason why they were later 
than they had planned, Lance, Dorothy and 
Tory seated themselves upon the great couch. 
There they sat, silently watching their host 
until he had vanished into his improvised 
kitchenette. 

They were pursuing almost the same trains 
of thought. 

A man at once younger and older than the 
girls expected to find him, Philip Winslow 
had a mass of pale-brown hair, brushed care- 
lessly off a high forehead, eyes darkly brown, 
with a melancholy expression even when his 
lips smiled. He was unusually tall, and this 
may partly have accounted for his appearance 
of extreme thinness, although neither girl con- 
sidered this true, for he looked as if he had not 
long before suffered from a serious illness. 

During the hour that followed the three 
guests found themselves talking to their host 
with entire freedom as if they had been old 
friends. Yet Philip Winslow was a shy per- 
son, ordinarily talking but little himself. 
Disappointment at the failure of his work and 
ill health had altered his original gaiety of 
spirit. 

Indeed, Tory Drew had often heard her 
father speak of him as one of the leaders in 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


9S 

their old-time artist frolics in the Latin 
Quarter. 

Only once was Tory overawed by her new 
acquaintance. This was when she shyly 
offered him her collection of sketches and sat 
waiting his criticism. 

She was on the great sofa facing the now 
dying fire, while he sat in a small chair oppo- 
site, beneath the fading daylight. 

For five, ten minutes no one spoke. 

The sketches were several bits of outdoor 
work and two paintings of the little girl, 
Lucy Martin, who was now Lucy Hammond. 
Mr. and Mrs. Jeremy Hammond had formally 
adopted the child who had lived in the Gray 
House on the Hill, the orphan asylum in the 
village of Westhaven. 

Lucy was oddly picturesque and always 
Tory had longed to make a portrait of the 
younger girl since their original meeting. She 
appreciated, however, that she was too young 
and untrained for real portraiture. Her efforts 
were only simple drawings, with a good deal 
of boldness of color and design. Personally, 
Tory considered the sketches of Lucy the 
best things she had ever done and had chosen 
them for this reason for exhibition. 

Certainly Mr. Winslow passed over the 


94 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


others more rapidly, keeping these in his 
hands and turning his glance from one to the 
other. Apparently he was hardly aware now 
of his guests, although a short time before he 
had been so courteous and attentive. 

During the interval Tory wished some one 
would speak of something. Under the circum- 
stances she was not in the position to chatter 
idly, as if she were not intensely anxious for 
Mr. Winslow’s opinion of her work. But 
Dorothy or Lance might have talked to each 
other in low voices without rudeness or inter- 
ference. 

Instead, they pressed close beside each other, 
Lance’s slender hand clutching a fold of his 
sister’s dress, as if he would thus be sure of 
her presence. Dorothy, without any pretence 
of hiding her emotion, rarely raised her eyes 
from her brother’s face. 

In the midst of her own nervousness Tory 
felt a regret that was half envy. Who would 
not desire affection like Dorothy’s and her 
twin brothers’? Tory so often was separated 
from the people she cared for most. The 
devoted intimacy with her artist father had 
been interrupted by his second marriage and 
his wish that she be brought up among her 
mother’s people and in her own country. 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


95 


Then the friendship between Katherine Moore 
and herseK! Not altered by Karats illness — a 
thousand times no; but assuredly affecting 
the hours they could spend together and their 
happiness in each other^s society. 

Would Mr. Winslow never speak? Was 
her work so poor that he dreaded telling her 
the truth for the sake of his old affection for 
her father, Tory reflected. 

Biting her lips, she straightened her shoul- 
ders and lifted her chin. If her aunt, Miss 
Victoria Fenton, had been able to see her at 
this instant, she would have recognized one 
of the Fenton characteristics she vainly had 
looked for in her niece — dignity in meeting 
defeat. 

Naturally pale, Tory was possessed of less 
color than usual. Her lips, therefore, appeared 
redder and her wide eyes darker and more 
wistful. They contradicted the bravery of 
her attitude. 

Sympathetically and ’ encouragingly, Lance 
tried to sustain her through the last of the 
ordeal. For the moment forgetting his sister, 
he reached out to the girl on the other side of 
him. 

He wanted to be able to explain to Tory, 
to make her realize that she would succeed. 


96 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


She was made for success, even if the present 
criticism should be unfavorable. She was 
young and would have the opportunity given 
her to go on struggling for years and years. 
Painting was not like music; one did not 
require to succeed while one was young, one 
could, if necessary, work many years. For 
himself Lance was more fearful. 

But Tory was not interested in what he 
might say or think at the present time. 

Mr. Winslow was at last speaking, if only 
to ask a question. 

'^How long and with whom have you 
studied?” he inquired, holding up one of the 
small sketches so that it formed a shield for 
his face. 

^^Why, I have never really studied at all,” 
Tory answered. mean I have had no regu- 
lar lessons. I, of course, have had the advan- 
tage of hearing a good many clever people 
talk about art and I have watched my father 
work and have worked beside him for as long 
as I can remember. Until this winter father 
has believed it wiser for me not to study art. 
He wanted me to learn more of other things 
first. He was afraid I would lose interest in 
school and not be properly domestic.” 

Again Mr. Winslow was silent. 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


97 


Is my work so poor? Do you think I had 
best give up altogether the hope of becoming 
an artist?^’ Tory demanded, desperate at 
last, but at the same time determined she 
would never give up. 

“I am not sure, but I am going to be truth- 
ful, Tory. I am disappointed in your work; 
from what your father had said and written, 
me I had expected more.” 

The hand that had sheltered his face 
dropped to his lap and Tory was angry and 
touched by the artist’s expression. He seemed 
so very sorry for what he was saying and yet 
felt obhged to speak. 

Making a sudden movement as if she would 
rescue her despised sketches, Tory felt her 
hand seized and herself drawn up to stand 
beside the artist. 

Endeavoring to smile gallantly, she was 
meeting with little success. 

^'My dear child, you have misunderstood 
me. I don’t know how to make myself clear 
to young people, nor to old ones for that mat- 
ter. I am far from intending to say you have 
no talent. I think you have talent, although 
I would not have you trust my judgment 
altogether. What I meant was that I was 
surprised you do not know more of the tech- 


' 98 ' 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


nical side of your work with so successful an 
artist as your father is. You have originality, 
but you draw badly and your coloring is — 
oh, well, you see I do not agree with other 
artists, so perhaps you are right and I am 
wrong. I don’t see why your father sent you 
to me for my opinion. There are a dozen 
other better men he might have asked.” 

Within the last few moments Tory Drew 
had gone through a process of enlightenment 
with regard to the character of her new 
acquaintance. No longer was she so deeply 
discouraged or unable to express herseK. She 
knew him to be intensely critical both of his 
own work and of other people’s, deeply sensi- 
tive and yet compelled to tell the truth as he 
saw it, whether it would hurt himself or others. 

^^Do you think I could learn to draw, learn 
to see color differently and to paint it?” Tory 
asked with the little charming half-shy, half- 
friendly manner to which most persons yielded. 

Philip Winslow frowned. 

would like to have you study with me a 
few years and afterwards go to some one I 
recommend, if you would work. But you 
won’t. You are a girl and girls don’t work, 
not really. But why should you? You know 
what my work has brought me: poverty and 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


99 


but few friends, no recognition. You need 
not work half so hard and will have better 
fortune with any other teacher.’’ 

Unexpectedly and light-heartedly Tory 
laughed. 

Her two companions, Dorothy and Lance, 
stared at her in surprise and in consternation. 
Ordinarily Tory possessed beautiful manners 
which the other young people in Westhaven 
admired and oftentimes envied. Yet it was 
not polite of Tory to laugh either in the face 
of Mr. Winslow’s criticism or his bitterness 
with regard to himseh. 

“I beg your pardon,” she added an instant 
later. “I was only thinking. Father told 
me you would say pretty much what you have 
said. If only you would agree to teach me 
some day I must not mind anything else. I 
don’t believe your work is so unpopular as 
you say it is. It is only that you are not 
weU and you are impatient and angry with 
people when they don’t see things as you do. 
You know you really ought to be a Girl Scout.” 

Tory flushed. 

suppose you will think I am rude. I 
am afraid I was really. Only you seem to feel 
as I did when I came to Westhaven to live 
last winter and thought no one imderstood 


100 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


or liked me. When I became a Scout I saw 
things differently.^’ 

Mr. Winslow did not appear offended by 
Tory’s odd speeches. 

Don was right, Lance McClain thought, 
Tory Drew had a character of attraction no 
one of her Troop of Girl Scouts possessed, 
except of course their own sister, Dorothy. 
Dorothy was altogether different. Lance 
knew that he was sufficiently like Tory in 
some characteristics to understand her better 
than his brother or sister. They were alike; 
they could admire or be angry with her, they 
would not always understand her. 

^^Look here. Miss Victoria Drew, how old 
are you?” Mr. Winslow asked abruptly. He 
did not appear offended, however, merely 
amused. 'T have been talking to you as if 
you were a grown woman and now you inform 
me I should follow your example and become 
a Girl Scout. Offer me advice that is a little 
less impossible! Besides, what or who is a 
Girl Scout?” 

Tory shook her head. Her hair under a 
small blue velvet hat looked an especially 
bright red-gold. 

am nearly fifteen. It would require too 
long a time to tell you what it means to be a 


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101 


Girl Scout. Perhaps there were no Boy 
Scouts when you were young enough to join 
their organization. If only you would come 
to Westhaven I should Hke you to meet our 
Patrol of the Eagle’s Wing Troop. Besides, 
it would do you good. Won’t you come? 
The country is beautiful with its white cover- 
ing of snow. My aunt, Miss Victoria Fenton, 
is a wonderful housekeeper and you and 
Uncle Richard would be sure to like each 
other. Besides, there is our Troop Captain, 
Sheila Mason. I wish some day you might 
know her and paint her portrait. She is 
lovely, but altogether unlike the portraits 
you have done.” 

Tory glanced not very admiringly at the 
heads of men and women adorning the artist’s 
gray walls. His models had assuredly not 
been chosen for their beauty. 

This time Mr. Winslow returned Tory^s 
laughter with emphasis. 

She had divined that he was lonely and dis- 
illusioned and that, as in most cases, the fault 
was as much his own as his world’s. 

'^Fifteen, and I have been talking to you as 
if you were a woman! I suppose I had forgot- 
ten what your father wrote. In any case I 
might have known by looking at you. I 


102 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


don^t often pay visits, but if your aunt and 
uncle would like to have me at any time, per- 
haps 111 come and look over other drawings 
you have done and tell you how poor they are. 
You are too young for anything but your 
three ^R^s’ at present. But we might have 
a few lessons for the sake of the good time 
we would have and because your father has 
been kinder to me than he would be willing 
to let other people loiow.^’ 

At a signal from Tory, Dorothy and Lance 
had arisen. The three of^them were preparing 
to leave, aware of having remained longer 
than they should. Outside, the winter twi- 
light had almost completely closed in. 

Lighting a pair of candles, Mr. Winslow 
turned to Dorothy and Lance, fearing that he 
had not shown sufficient attention to his other 
visitors in his interest in his old friend^s 
daughter. 

He admired Dorothy McClain’s appearance, 
her taU, upright figure, with the broad shoul- 
ders and slender hips, the clear, fresh skin 
and straightforward blue eyes. An instant he 
considered that so a Greek girl might have 
appeared in the days of the great Greek 
sculptors. Then inwardly he denied his own 
thought. Dorothy McClain was a typical 
American girl. 


OF THE HOUND TABLE 


103 


Turning toward Lance, he put out his hand 
for a second time. 

“I did not recognize you at first. I believe 
we have seen each other before, here in this 
very house. Do you five here?^’ 

Lance shook his head. 

^^No, I come here now and then. I have a 
friend in one of the other studios who allows 
me the use of his piano.’’ 

^‘Do you mean the rich feUow named 
Moore, who won’t have anything to do with 
the rest of us in this building?” 

Lance stiffened. 

know nothing of Mr. Moore’s private 
affairs.” 

A httle later, when they had said farewell 
and gone, Dorothy and Tory both appreciated 
that they had learned the name of Lance’s 
friend which he had declined to tell them 
without permission. It was of no importance. 
Moore was not an uncommon name. As a 
matter of fact, it was possibly bestowed upon 
Kara because it was so ordinary a name, when 
she had been deserted as a baby in the ever- 
green cabin. 


CHAPTER X 


REACTION 

I NEVITABLY Tory suffered an intense 
reaction after the excitement of the 
Christmas holidays and her visit to New 
York. 

School appeared insufferably dull; life at 
Lome was rather worse than better. After 
learning to bear with each other more amiably, 
again Tory and her aunt, Miss Victoria Fen- 
ton, felt their personahties jarring at nearly 
every point of contact. 

Without hesitation Miss Victoria expressed 
her state of mind toward her niece. In the 
past year she had agreed that Tory showed 
marked improvement in character and per- 
sonal habits She had revealed a deeper 
interest in her school work and the acquiring 
of friends in Westhaven. She had lost her 
critical attitude toward what she considered 
the conservative and old-fashioned views of 
the httle New England village. Her enthu- 
siasm over becoming a Girl Scout and desire 
to maintain a good standing had stimulated 

( 104 ) 


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105 


her to a greater degree of acquiescence in Miss 
Fenton^s earnest effort to teach her the first 
principles of good housekeeping. 

Best of all, Tory had ceased to talk ever- 
lastingly of painting and her life abroad with 
her father! She seemed really to intend to 
become an American girl in the best sense of 
the word. This had been her father^s wish 
in sending her to live in the United States. 
Since for once, and the only time she could 
recall, her opinion had coincided with her 
brother-in-law^s. Miss Victoria Fenton had 
spared neither advice nor reproach. 

Now when Tory had given her every right 
to feel encouraged. Miss Fenton declared that 
the younger Victoria was returning to her for- 
mer waywardness and a measure of her 
original discontent. 

The call upon the New York artist had been 
against Miss Victoria’s better judgment. Now 
and then, Tory, without saying anything 
aloud, felt herself agreeing with her aunt. 

The daily routine of school did appear more 
trying than at any time since her arrival in 
Westhaven after the first discouraging and 
friendless weeks were gone. Later the Girl 
Scouts and her new friendships had stimulated 
and helped her. She had learned to love 


106 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


Memory Frean and her House in the Woods, 
She had become devoted to Katherine Moore, 
who was then living at the orphan asylum 
known in Westhaven as the Gray House on 
the Hill. 

The weekly meetings of the Girl Scouts 
were a continuous joy. All through the seven 
days she had gone at her tasks with the sing- 
ing thought that whatever was worth while 
would bring her nearer to the honors she 
desired to attain in the Girl Scout organiza- 
tion. 

Since the close of the holidays occasionally 
Tory appreciated that she was asking herself 
if even the Girl Scouts filled the place in her 
life they formerly had? 

She would not reply even to herself, ashamed 
of her disloyalty and lack of perseverance. 

The visit in New York City in a way had 
altered her intimacy with Dorothy McClain, 
and she had depended upon Dorothy, now 
that Kara must be indefinitely in a hospital. 

Of coinse there was no question that she 
and Kara cherished a deeper affection for 
each other and that Dorothy and Louise 
Miller were older and closer friends. This 
had not affected her own and Dorothy’s 
relation. 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


107 


She was more of a family friend than Louise 
Miller was ever apt to be. Dr. McClain 
insisted that he cared for her next to his own 
daughter. Don was always her admirer and 
champion, and did not particularly under- 
stand or like Louise. She and Lance quarreled 
now and then, but appreciated that this was 
partly because they had so many traits in 
common they could never thoroughly approve 
of each other. They enjoyed being together 
and arguing oftentimes more than a friendly 
calm. Besides, Dorothy’s four other brothers, 
from the oldest to the youngest, had in a 
measure adopted Tory as one of themselves. 
They appreciated the fact that she was a 
stranger in Westhaven until the year before 
and being brought up in the somewhat diffi- 
cult home atmosphere of an old maid aunt 
and bachelor uncle. She needed the warmth 
and happy-go-lucky comradeship that they 
could offer. 

But of late Tory believed Dorothy cared 
to be with her less frequently. She was not 
disagreeable, Dorothy’s sweet nature and 
straightforwardness never permitted her to 
be really unkind to any human being. She 
was listless, however, and indifferent, and 
Tory received the impression that she was not 


108 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


interested in anything she might wish to 
discuss. 

Oddly, the other Girl Scouts were less 
attractive than usual. One by one Tory 
paid them visits during the afternoons follow- 
ing the Christmas holidays, and found them 
unsatisfying. 

She went out into the House in the Woods 
upon an especially disagreeable January after- 
noon of thaw and cold winds. Memory Frean 
listened to her protests, but was more critical 
than sympathetic. 

Moreover, Tory had not to the same degree 
the refuge of her uncle’s companionship. He 
was busier than in the early months after her 
arrival to live in his home. He still spent the 
greater portion of his time in the hbrary, 
but he was then reading. Now he was engaged 
in writing a book. Naturally, under the cir- 
cumstances Tory felt herself less free to inter- 
rupt him, although he was always cordial and 
interested in whatever she might want to 
talk about. 

Nevertheless, Tory herself became aware 
that the renewal of his former friendship with 
Memory Frean had influenced Mr. Fenton. 
He was more interested in outside things and 
people. He was even attending the meetings 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


109 


in the Town Hall to discuss questions of village 
improvement and being constantly called upon 
for his opinion and advice. 

Since his rescue of Miss Frean he had fallen 
into the habit of paying weekly visits to the 
Uttle House in the Woods. 

So Tory concluded she must bear her 
difficulties alone. She would not talk to Sheila 
Mason. Above all other persons, she did not 
wish the Troop Captain to dream that she 
was not feeling the same degree of pleasure 
and interest in the Girl Scouts. 

One consolation she did have. She wrote 
a letter to her new artist acquaintance, Mr. 
Philip Winslow, and received a delightful one 
in return, although even this letter was not 
wholly satisfactory. 

In it he expressed the desire that she forget 
the half of their talk together; apologized for 
not having appreciated her youth, and hoped 
she would not consider the idea of becoming 
an artist for the next three years at least. 
A good education, he insisted, was the best 
foundation for any career she might pursue. 
He agreed to come to see her some day in 
Westhaven, and with this Tory endeavored to 
be content. 

Added to everything else, Kara explained 


110 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


that Mr. Jeremy Hammond had answered 
the eccentric advertisement he had read in the 
newspaper. Apparently he must have con- 
sidered it of no importance, for he had gone 
away from town on business without coming 
to see her. Lucy and Mrs. Hammond had 
called, and Lucy was prettier than ever. 

A postscript in Karats letter added that she 
was finding it more difficult to be brave, now 
she no longer had the anticipation of Tory^s 
and Dorothy^s visit to New York in prospect. 
The two girls had seen her every day during 
their stay in town. She begged Tory to write 
her everything that was said and done at the 
Scout meetings, since nothing else afforded 
her the same pleasure and encouragement. 

The weekly meeting that would occur the 
last week in January Tory arranged to have 
at her own home. The weather would not 
allow them to have the regulation drill, but 
if they wished they could go through exercises 
in the old drawing-room and have their 
Round Table in the dining-room later. Sheila 
Mason was suffering from a cold, so it was 
possible that she might not be able to be 
present. In that case the Patrol Leader would 
take charge. 

During the early hours of Friday afternoon 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


111 


Tory was glad to make the necessary prepara- 
tions. She had undergone a disagreeable 
morning at school. Her mathematics teacher, 
whom she never had been able to like, repri- 
manded her pubhcly, protesting that she pay 
more attention to what was going on around 
her and less to her own dreams. 

At luncheon Miss Victoria added to her 
annoyance. She argued that if Tory wished to 
entertain her Patrol at tea after their regular 
meeting, she should have made the cake and 
sandwiches herself and not asked Sarah, their 
maid. Sarah had proposed it and knew her- 
self to be the better cook. Tory considered 
her aunt^s criticism altogether uncalled for, 
and said so. She had not intended to be 
impolite, but Mr. Fenton had frowned and 
Tory had not enjoyed his reproving look. 

She was moving the furniture about in the 
drawing-room immediately after lunch with a 
degree of energy that was a rehef to the spirit. 
The heavy chairs had to be pushed back 
against the walls, the cherished ornaments put 
in safe places. The Girl Scouts had agreed 
to practice flag signahng from the different 
ends of the long room. They were growing 
rusty in this feature of their Scout training. 

Occasionally Tory stopped to get her breath 


in THE GIRL SCOUTS 

or to change the arrangement of some detail 
of the room. Instead of disliking the old 
drawing-room as she had upon her arrival at 
her mother^s girlhood home, Tory had become 
deeply attached to it. She admired the rich 
brown and gold of the paper, the dark wood 
panelings, even the stately, stiff portraits of 
her Fenton ancestors. 

Several of the Girl Scouts had promised to 
come in early and help her make ready the 
room for their Scout meeting. In her present 
state of mind Tory did not regret their delay. 

She had nearly finished when Dorothy 
McClain opened the door and entered. 

Sorry not to have been able to get here 
sooner,’’ Dorothy began, ^^but I am in such 
a bad humor. I know you cannot fail to be 
glad you have not had to endure my society. 
I was waiting for Louise Miller and at the 
last moment Louise called up to say she would 
be late. Her mother had detained her for 
some reason. 

wonder, Tory, if you have noticed a 
change in Louise since the Christmas holidays? 
I have sometimes thought perhaps she believed 
you and I were becoming too intimate and 
that she was left out. It would be foolish 
of her; nothing could alter my feeling for 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


113 


Louise, no matter how much I might care for 
you. But Louise is so absorbed in study and 
growing more silent and self-contained. I 
know she does not approve of me or love me 
as she used to, and it makes me very unhappy. 
She insists I am wrong to continue worrying 
over Lance when he is doing what he wishes. 
How can I help it when father still refuses to 
talk about him except to ask if he is well? 
Lance writes me nothing more of his affairs 
than we found out from him in town. He is 
at work and has a friend named Moore who 
is helping him with his music. 

In one of the chairs stored away in a dark 
recess of the room, Dorothy dropped down, 
resting her bright chestnut hair against the 
dark leather. She looked so dispirited and so 
unlike the gallant, cheerful Dorothy that 
Tory went to her. 

“Dorothy, don’t tell me you are suffering 
from the blues! You must not; you will 
depress all your family. You may not realize 
it, but they are dependent upon you as the 
only girl in the family, and more so than 
ever now that Lance is away. Lance was 
spoiled and sometimes selfish, but you know 
he has a delightful sense of humor and 
imagination. 

8 


114 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


for Louise, she adores you. I wonder 
if she is not troubled about something she 
does not think she ought to confide to you or 
any one of the Girl Scouts? I confess I have 
noticed that Louise has been quieter since the 
night of our Christmas Eve party. 

There was no chance for a further confi- 
dence, as Tory flew to answer a timid knock 
on the door left half ajar. 

Immediately she opened it wider, Louise 
Miller came into the room. 

Her face was flushed and there were circles 
about her light gray eyes with their curiously 
dark lashes. She was pantjing as if out of 
breath. 

She almost ignored Tory. 

Dorothy, I found I could get here sooner 
than I thought, and I want to apologize to 
you for having kept you waiting and then 
failing to explain over the telephone. Mother 
and I were talking over something and she 
suddenly announced she did not wish me to 
come to the Scout meeting. I was to stay at 
home and help with some sewing for the 
younger children. Finally I induced her to 
let me bring the work here. Mother seems to 
feel I have no right to be a Girl Scout these 
days! I am growing so much more stupid and 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


115 


self-centered and uninterested in my household 
duties. If only I were more like you and 
Tory, Dorothy! I never see you in this old 
room, Tory, without thinking what a picture 
you make, especially in your Girl Scout cos- 
tume. Forgive my not speaking to you when 
I came in, I was thinking only of Dorothy. 

Tory laughed good naturedly. 

You nearly always are thinking of Dorothy, 
aren’t you, Ouida? — so I forgive you. Yet 
Dorothy believes you do not care for her as 
you once did, now when she specially needs 
you because of Lance.” 

In one of her rare outbursts of affection 
Louise clasped her arms about her friend. 

^'Dorothy, if you only knew how much I 
do care! Still I realize I have behaved 
strangely of late, ever since the holidays. 
There is something I must tell you, only I 
cannot just now.” 

Through the open door the three girls 
beheld Teresa Peterson approaching. Teresa’s 
cheeks were a deeper rose, her dusky hair less 
neat than she ordinarily arranged it. Her 
lips and eyes were mutinous. 

She dropped down on a stool. 

“Well, I am glad we are to have a Scout 
meeting this afternoon. Certainly I need 


116 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


something to reform my disposition! Ever 
since Christmas things have been so dull and 
horrid/’ 

The outburst of laughter from her com- 
panions annoyed but did not surprise Teresa. 
She was accustomed to their behaving in an 
incomprehensible fashion on many occasions, 
and seldom troubled to understand. 

At present she had no opportunity. 

Through the window she could observe 
Margaret Hale, Joan Peters and the English 
Girl Guide, Martha Greaves, who was board- 
ing with Joan’s mother, coming toward the 
house. Even to Teresa’s not overactive 
imagination it was evident that they had been 
disagreeing. They were not speaking and 
each girl held herself erect with her chin 
slightly elevated. 

Afterwards Edith Linder appeared, a little 
aggrieved because Evan Philips had promised 
to call for her and had forgotten the engage- 
ment. 


CHAPTER XI 


A ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION 

HE table in the Fenton dining-room 



had been arranged to form a perfect 


circle with the addition of several 
table leaves. 

Above the table were the flags of the Eagle’s 
Wing Troop and the American flag. 

Stacked in a comer of the room were the 
banners made of silver cloth. 

The arm chair was empty, but the eight 
others were occupied by the Girl Scouts in 
their regulation uniforms. 

Joan Peters, the new Patrol Leader, in 
the absence of the Captain, was presiding. 

She was a tall, slender girl with light-brown 
hair and eyes of almost the same shade. Her 
features were regular and delicately cut. She 
possessed a poise of manner and a seriousness 
unusual in so young a person. Joan was an 
only child and her mother a semi-invalid. 
Her father, an inventor, had made no practical 
success with any of his inventions, so that 
Joan was forced through circumstances to 
become the practical member of her family. 


( 117 ) 


118 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


She was leaning forward now over the round 
table, her eyes traveling slowly from one face 
to the other, faces that either returned her 
gaze or revealed downcast eyes. 

In the old room there was a momentary 
silence in spite of the presence of so many 
girls. 

agree with Tory. It is absolutely 
necessary that we do something right away,’' 
Joan remarked slowly. 

Louise Miller appeared impatient. 

Yes, but what? I know it has been good 
for all our souls to confess that we have fallen 
into the slough of despond. Assuredly we are 
upon the downward grade! I don’t know how 
to express it! Having made the confession, 
what is to happen next? I have reahzed ever 
since Christmas that I was not Hving up to 
our Girl Scout principles, as I tried so hard to 
in the beginning. At first we had the excite- 
ment of organizing and of struggling to earn 
our first merit badges, of ceasing to be mere 
tenderfeet. Then followed our wonderful 
summer in Beech wood Forest! Never have 
I been so happy anywhere on earth! I am 
sure my whole life will be influenced by it! 

^^When I came back home in the early fall 
I remember making the noblest resolutions. 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


119 


I was going to work harder at school, not in 
the subjects I care for most, but in those that 
have never interested me. I was going to 
be more helpful at home. My famUy would 
scarcely believe that I acquired a badge for 
cooking over a camp fire last summer. I 
intended to forget that I am more thrilled by 
birds and insects and trees and stones than 
by making beds and dusting the parlor and 
sewing on buttons. In truth, I really gave 
such a good imitation of doing what I should, 
that my family, who were not enthusiastic 
about the Girl Scouts at first, were beginning 
to be impressed. 

^^Just before Christmas time I discovered 
myself slipping into my old indifference and 
awkwardness. 

^'Mother declares I have become impossi- 
ble now. So what shall I do? We might take 
up each individual case one at a time. I am 
sure I am the most hopeless of our Troop, so 
begin with me. I never have felt I had the same 
right the rest of you have to membership.” 

There was no mistaking the fact that 
Louise was deeply in earnest. She possessed 
little seff-esteem, scarcely a sufficient amount. 
Her own lack of beauty and charm of man- 
ner, her slow, oftentimes clumsy movements, 


120 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


her inability to speak or think quickly, had 
always given her the consciousness that she 
was less attractive than other girls. And 
unfortunately for Louise, her own mother in a 
measure agreed with this opinion. She herself 
was pretty, graceful and fond of society. 

One person had struggled to influence 
Louise^s unfortunate estimate of herself, her 
closest friend, Dorothy McClain. 

Having finished her speech, Louise was 
leaning over, resting her head upon her hand, 
appearing more discouraged than the other 
girls considered necessary under the circum- 
stances. 

Louise’s features were large, her complexion 
pallid; she had only two claims to beauty, 
her curious light-gray eyes and copper-red 
hair. Ordinarily she wore unsuitable clothes, 
so that she looked better in her Scout uniform 
than in other costumes. 

Nonsense, Ouida, we are not going at 
things in any such spirit!” Dorothy remarked 
with the good sense and directness that dis- 
tinguished her. 

Teresa Peterson looked relieved. 

She and Louise were not congenial; it was 
impossible they should be with such totally 
different temperaments. 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


121 


Teresa was exceptionally pretty and plea- 
sure loving. She could see nothing to admire 
in Louise’s appearance or in her serious dispo- 
sition. Her philosophy of Hfe, although Teresa 
would never have appreciated that she pos- 
sessed a philosophy,- and would have disliked 
the name, was never to trouble so long as it 
was possible to enjoy oneself. She had 
pretty, soft manners and was gentle and 
affectionate, save when any one opposed a 
strong desire on her part. 

If the Girl Scouts realized that Teresa was 
unlike the rest of them, they perhaps expected 
less of her. Several of the older girls, particu- 
larly Joan Peters, had a special affection for 
Teresa and a wish to shelter her from criticism 
or dilEculty. 

cannot see why it is our fault that we 
have been bored and cross since Christmas,” 
she now remarked plaintively. ^^How can we 
expect anything else after the lovely times we 
had then, the dances and sleigh rides and skat- 
ing party and the queer Christmas Eve enter- 
tainment at Miss Frean’s when we were made 
Knights of something or other and recited aU 
sorts of funny poetry?” 

Perhaps the laughter following Teresa’s 
speech was better for the group of Girl Scouts 
than Louise’s introspection. 


122 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


don’t wonder you say ^Knights of some- 
thing or other’/’ Tory added. ^'When I saw 
Kara in New York she was not in the least 
enthusiastic over our Knighthood. I quoted 
Mrs. Browning’s poem: ^The world’s male 
chivalry has vanished quite, but women are 
knight-errants to the last.’ Kara thought the 
idea too fanciful, as she does most of my 
cherished suggestions. I told her we simply 
wished to have an original entertainment and 
to hold our indoor Scout meetings this winter 
about a Round Table. Nevertheless, I do 
remember that I was chosen to represent Sir 
Galahad, the Knight who went in quest of the 
Holy Grail. Because his life was purer than 
any other of the Knights he was allowed to 
behold the Grail.” 

The speaker lowered her voice and her eye- 
lids drooped over her dark eyes, as if she were 
ashamed to go on with what she was struggling 
to say. 

might as well confess I have wondered 
what the Quest of the Holy Grail may mean 
in one’s ordinary, everyday life? I suppose 
it is not so unhke what we are told to do in 
our Girl Scout work, do good to others and 
follow the best that is in each of us.” 

The girl’s glance traveled from the flags 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


123 


above the round table to the pile of banners 
in the far corner of the old room. 

Yes, Tory, what is it that you wish to tell 
us? You have something to propose. Some- 
how we always expect you to inspire us when 
we need a new incentive,’’ Margaret Hale said 
encouragingly. 

Still the other girl hesitated. 

don’t believe I ought to suggest any- 
thing. I had not an idea to propose when we 
started our Round Table discussion. I was 
in such a bad humor before you girls arrived, 
I though everybody and everything responsi- 
ble except me. Then Dorothy and I fell to 
talking and discovered we were in the same 
state of mind, afterwards Louise, and then 
one by one each member of our Patrol. It 
was funny! Still, I cannot help being sorry. 
Not one of our knightly banners is emblazoned 
with any sign of a service we have rendered 
to any human being since Christmas. Worse, 
I for one am failing always to do the daily 
good turn I promised in our Girl Scout pledge.” 

Go on, Tory, we have agreed we are in the 
same state of mind and have been making 
the same mistakes,” Edith Linder protested. 

The other girl nodded. 

Very well. Please remember that whether 


124 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


you agree with me or not, for once in my life 
I intend to be simple and practical in my sug- 
gestion. And I want you to write and tell 
Kara. 

“As we have been sitting here this afternoon 
the same idea has occurred to each one of us. 
Our trouble is that we have been thinking of 
ourselves. The only cure is to think of some 
one else. I have not Kara any longer to care 
for and that makes a big difference with me. 
But there must be some one else in West- 
haven. So I propose that this week each one 
of us finds some one who is ill and needing 
help of some character. It does not matter 
whether the person is a member of our own 
family or a stranger, rich or poor, young or 
old, we must manage to make them more 
comfortable. Then at our next Scout meeting 
we can report to one another. Don’t you 
think this may be worth while? I am not 
pretending to be very original this afternoon.” 

“It is not important always to be original, 
Tory,” Margaret Hale declared, in a voice and 
manner that always influenced her com- 
panions. 

“I propose that we vote on your suggestion. 
It might be more inspiring if we try to find 
people who are especially in need of help. 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


125 


If they are willing, we could tell of what they 
have suffered. This might prove as inter- 
esting and exciting as reading thrilling stories. 

In the vote that followed no voice dissented. 

Only Teresa sighed and exclaimed: 

I believe I shall choose Miss Mason! She 
is our Scout Captain and sent word to Tory 
that she was too ill to be with us this after- 
noon. Of course she only has a bad cold, but 
she may grow worse. Besides, I dearly love 
going to her house and sitting in her pretty 
room. I wish I were grown and our house not 
so filled with ugly things. Living in Miss 
Mason’s room, curled up on her blue couch 
with the yellow and blue cushions, would 
give me a lovely disposition,” Teresa con- 
cluded. 

Tory shook her head. 

^^Good gracious, Teresa dear, I am afraid 
if our Troop Captain continues ill she will 
suffer from too much attention! I don’t 
think you really have grasped our idea. But 
for goodness’ sake let us stop being so serious! 
If we are through with our Scout meeting, 
suppose you come and help me bring in tea, 
Teresa.” 


CHAPTER XII 


UNEXPECTED OPPORTUNITIES 

HE days following Tory Drew^s sug- 



gestion to the Girl Scouts brought forth 


an unusual chain of circumstances. 
Otherwise their good resolutions might not 
have had the surprising developments. 

A day or two later Tory received a letter 
which filled her with surprise, pleasure and 
consternation. The letter was the second 
from her new artist friend in New York City, 
but of a wholly different character from the 
original one. 

Mr. Winslow explained that he had not been 
well in some time. Recently his physician 
had insisted that he spend the winter in the 
country. He knew of few places outside New 
York City, but recalled Tory^s description of 
Westhaven. Would it be possible to find him 
a little house in or near Westhaven where he 
might spend the winter? He must be a large 
part of the time out of doors. Tory would 
please understand that he could afford to pay 
but little and would ask only the simplest 
living arrangements. 


( 126 ) 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 127 

The letter Tory showed first to her uncle 
and then to Memory Frean. 

Neither had any suggestion to make that 
Tory believed would to acceptable to the 
gifted but disappointed artist, who was her 
father’s friend, and who, perhaps, some day 
would be her teacher as well as friend. 

Mr. Fenton could only propose vaguely 
that the artist might spend the winter with 
them, if his sister, Miss Victoria, were w illin g. 

Tory appreciated that her aunt might be 
glad to entertain an unknown guest for a 
week or ten days. She could hardly be 
expected to desire one for an indefinite stay. 

Moreover, Mr. Winslow would never con- 
sider the proposal. He had no wish to be a 
burden. 

Memory Frean, for the first time in their 
acquaintance, had no suggestion to offer. 

Fortunately, Dorothy McClain was almost 
equally as interested as Tory in their recent 
acquaintance. In accordance with her advice, 
they concluded to consult with their Troop 
Captain, Sheila Mason. 

Miss Mason was not well enough to be out- 
doors, but, contrary to Teresa’s Good Samari- 
tan intentions, was a great deal better, and 
able to see visitors in her own room. 


128 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


The two girls found her in a lovely morning 
dress of gold and blue seated in a large chair 
before a fire. 

As Teresa had insisted upon adopting the 
Scout Captain as her invalid, notwithstanding 
her recovery, at the moment of Tory’s and 
Dorothy’s arrival they discovered Teresa 
curled up on the blue sofa with the yellow 
cushions, according to her expressed desire. 

Sheila Mason was an only daughter. Her 
family was considered a wealthy one, accord- 
ing to the standards of Westhaven. She was 
only a few years older than her own Troop 
of Girl Scouts, being in the early twenties. 

This afternoon Tory dropped down on a 
stool at her feet, while Dorothy seated herseK 
upon the divan beside Teresa. 

There seems to be no little house for rent 
in Westhaven that is inexpensive,” Dorothy 
remarked, when Tory had concluded her story. 
“We have made any number of inquiries. 
And I feel sure Mr. Winslow is poorer than 
he would be willing to confess. He says he 
must sublet his studio to be able to leave New 
York at all. At the same time I consider it 
would be best for him and a wonderful thing 
for Westhaven to have him spend the winter 
here. He is sure to make friends. Tory and 


OF THE ROUND TABLE U9 

I are convinced he is very gifted and that it is 
only because of some disappointment, a love 
alBfair perhaps, that he so far has failed to meet 
the success he deserves/^ 

Sheila Mason laughed. How unlike Doro- 
thy to be so romantic! She would have 
expected such a speech from Tory. 

Then Sheila set herself seriously to consider- 
ing their problem, wrinkling her brows and 
biting her lips. The three girls continued to 
gaze at her admiringly. 

Her fair, pale-gold hair was piled loosely 
on top of her small head. Her eyes were dark 
blue with thin level brows. Except for the 
gravity of her expression she might have been 
almost too pretty. 

Suddenly she made a movement. 

Girls, I have thought of something! Sup- 
pose we ask this Mr. Winslow if he would like 
to occupy our evergreen cottage in the woods 
this winter. I am sure the little place can be 
made comfortable for him, and from what you 
tell me Mr. Winslow is not a conventional 
person. He can rest out there and paint our 
beechwoods in the winter time whenever he 
likes'^or is well enough. Of course we must 
ask the permission of our other Girl Scouts. 

After Mr. Hammond had the floor of our 

9 


130 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


cabin removed to search for a clew to Kather- 
ine Moore^s history, he had a better floor 
relaid to take the place of the old one, and the 
holes in the walls stopped with plaster. 

“I for one shall envy this artist person if he 
occupies our cabin during the winter. I too 
have missed our good times out there and since 
Christmas have worried over our failure to live 
up to our Scout ideals.’^ 

Flushing, the young Scout Captain clasped 
her hands over her knees and began slowly 
rocking back and forth in an unconscious and 
girlish fashion. 

had about reached the conclusion, girls, 
that our mistake lately has been that we have 
thought too much of our own happiness and 
self-development. It is part of the Scout ideal, 
but certainly not the whole. Our slogan is sufii- 
cient proof, the daily good turn is for others.^/ 
The Scout Captain turned to Tory. 

“Teresa has just told me of your suggestion; 
each one of us is to find an ill person and care 
for him or her during the winter. If your 
artist comes to the evergreen house, Tory, 
you may look after him. Perhaps we may 
be envious of you. As soon as I am well I 
too shall seek out some one to aid. This is a 
hard winter for many people. The Girl Scouts 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


131 


ought to make themselves an influence for 
good in Westhaven as never before/' 

A little later, on their way home, Tory and 
Dorothy McClain could think and talk of 
nothing but the possibility of their artist's 
spending the winter months in their evergreen 
house in the beechwoods. 

They had adopted Mr. Winslow to the 
extent of speaking of him as “their artist" 
to each other. 

Small doubt in either girl's mind that the 
other Scouts in their Troop would ^ree to 
the Troop Captain's suggestion! 

If Mr. Winslow accepted their invitation, 
Dorothy and Tory decided to do everything in 
their power to make his stay in Westhaven a 
success. They would omit no detail. He 
should not be bored by their attentions, but 
never allowed to feel neglected. 

“Suppose he should meet some one in West- 
haven who would console him for what he 
must have suffered in the past?" Dorothy 
suggested. 

In amazement Tory stared at her and smiled. 

She was as surprised as their Troop Captain 
by Dorothy's unexpected romantic attitude. 
Of all her friends Dorothy was less given to 
vicarious romanticism. Most of the girls 


132 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


indulged in dreams for themselves and their 
friends. Dorothy was as matter-of-fact as 
many boys. Her own family and friends and 
the daily routine of life so far satisfied her. 

But Mr. Winslow had touched her imagina- 
tion as well as Tory^s. The truth was that 
Lancets absence from home left a vacant place 
in Dorothy’s life which she had not known he 
had so completely filled. 

She and Donald confessed to each other 
that always they had had Lance upon their 
minds without appreciating the fact. He was 
so often in trouble with some one, or not well, 
or proposing some impossible suggestion out 
of which he had to be argued or bullied. 

Realizing Dorothy’s need, Tory decided to 
be generous. She would have preferred Mr. 
Winslow to be principally known as her friend 
upon his arrival. In reality, she had the chief 
claim upon him. Still, after all it might be 
pleasanter if she and Dorothy shared the 
pleasure. 

Neither girl apparently doubted the artist’s 
acceptance of their suggestion. They were 
right in their surmise. Before another week 
he might be expected. The evergreen cottage 
appeared to be the one place in the world most 
suited to his needs. 


0F THE ROUND TABLE 


133 


The arrangements to make it habitable for 
the winter Dorothy and Tory gladly under- 
took. Mr. Winslow insisted upon paying a 
small rental. Miss Virginia Fenton agreed 
to allow Tory to use any old furniture she 
might find stored away in the attic of their 
house. 

An entire afternoon she and Dorothy spent 
in fascinated search. They discovered a bat- 
tered but beautiful mahogany table, two chairs 
slightly uncertain in their legs, but otherwise 
whole. However, the cabin was well supplied 
with tables and chains. The treasure that 
pleased them most was a worn pair of dark 
blue and gold damask curtains. Drawn across 
the windows they would make the cabin room 
safe from the cold and full of beautiful color. 
They were, of course, too long and too large 
for the cabin windows, so that odd pieces were 
cut off for table covers and scarfs. 

A piece of oriental embroidery, brought 
home by one of her early seafaring Fenton 
ancestors, Tory hung on the cabin wall to 
break the monotony of the exterior. She hoped 
Mr. Winslow would bring a certain number of 
pictures with him, not only to beautify the 
cabin but to give the people in Westhaven 
a knowledge of his ability. 


134 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


If not, Dorothy suggested he would soon 
have new pictures of the woods and scenes 
about Westhaven. 

Indeed, the two girls became so interested 
in their work and in their anticipations they 
saw nothing of the other Girl Scouts in their 
Patrol for the entire week. 

What they were doing to carry out Tory’s 
suggestion at the last Scout meeting they 
neither knew nor for the time felt any special 
interest. The next Scout meeting was to be 
delayed until the Troop Captain was well 
enough to be present. 

Suddenly Tory Drew found herself having 
to face the entire responsibility of Mr. Win- 
slow’s arrival and installation at the evergreen 
cottage alone. 

It was nearly bedtime and she was begin- 
ning to make ready to undress when she heard 
Donald McClain’s familiar whistle beneath 
her window. 

Tory fled down to the front door, calling 
to Mr. Fenton, who was in his Hbrary, to 
explain why she had reappeared after saying 
good-night. ^ 

Don would only come in for a few moments. 
He brought a message from Dorothy saying 
that her father had received a telegram asking 
him to come to New York City at once. 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


135 


The telegram was signed Owen Moore. 
Lance at last had agreed they might learn the 
name of the man who had befriended them. 
He had told them nothing of his history, 
insisting that he himself was in complete 
ignorance. Mr. Moore did not seem to care 
to talk of his own past. 

Naturally, Dr. McClain believed that Lance 
had been taken seriously ill. He did not wish 
to face the situation alone and was taking 
Dorothy with him. 

Tory received permission to spend a quarter 
of an hour with Dorothy and the doctor in 
order to say good-by and to send a dozen 
messages through them to Kara. 

Her own anxiety over the mysterious sum- 
mons and its possible reference to Lance, she 
did her best to conceal. 


CHAPTER XIII 


OTHER EXPERIENCES 

D uring the past week Tory and 
Dorothy had been making happy 
preparations for the arrival of Mr. 
Winslow at the evergreen cabin. They had 
secured the consent of the other girls without 
difficulty. In the meantime several of the 
Girl Scouts had been puzzled by the effort to 
keep the Scout pledge made to one another 
at their final meeting. 

Of necessity, in the village there must be 
a number of persons who were ill and would 
like to be cared for, provided the attentions 
were tactfully offered. How to discover the 
persons specially in need of sympathy and aid 
was not so simple an undertaking. Most ill 
persons had their own families and friends. 
Outside attention was scarcely necessary. 

One afternoon, under the impression that 
she had not fulfilled her own duty in the mat- 
ter, Margaret Hale decided that she would 
make a call upon Edith Linder and ask her 
advice. Edith lived in a poorer quarter of 
Westhaven among the foreign element, many 

(136) 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


137 


of whom worked in the factories. To her own 
embarrassment, Margaret appreciated that she 
had never been to call upon Edith before. In 
the days when Edith had spent the winter at 
Memory^ Frean^s cottage she had gone fre- 
quently to inquire for her. Indeed, she had 
been one of her advocates when Tory Drew 
insisted that Edith was not the type of girl 
to make a successful eighth member of their 
Patrol. Later Tory had completely changed 
her viewpoint. Nevertheless, Margaret real- 
ized that since her return tojlive with her own 
family, she had relied upon seeing Edith at 
their regular Scout meetings and had made no 
effort to see her at her own home. 

This had not been dehberate. Margaret 
was too well-bred herself to consider the social 
inferiority of a girl whom she liked as a per- 
sonal friend, and was a member of her Girl 
Scout Patrol. The truth was that she had not 
thought of their possessing any special inter- 
ests in common outside their Scout work until 
this afternoon. Now it occurred to her that 
Edith might put her in touch with persons who 
really were more in need of help than her own 
acquaintances. 

She would stop and ask Louise Miller to 
accompany her. Rarely did she call upon 


138 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


Louise! They had a special regard for each 
other, but with her school work, her Scout 
work, music lessons, reading and the desire to 
be with her own family whenever it was possi- 
ble, Margaret could reasonably plead the 
excuse of not having time for visiting. More- 
over, Louise was nearly aways with Dorothy 
McClain when she had the leisure. At 
present Dorothy and Tory Drew seemed more 
often in one another's society, so it occurred 
to Margaret that Louise might not only be 
more free, but glad to be reminded of the 
affection and admiration she felt for her. 

It was true that Margaret Hale possessed a 
deep regard and appreciation of Louise, in 
spite of the other girFs clumsiness and lack of 
social gifts in contrast to her own graceful 
manner and appearance. 

Margaret knew that their circumstances 
had been altogether different. Her own father 
was wealthy and prominent and devoted to 
his family, her mother cultivated and charm- 
ing. They both had done everything in their 
power to make their home atmosphere beauti- 
ful and serene. Margaret never remembered 
anything but sympathy and affection and 
understanding surrounding herself and her 
two younger sisters. They had everything 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


139 


they could possibly wish, money, position; 
put into concrete terms, they owned a lovely 
home, not one but two motor cars, the services 
of three or four maids, a gardener and a chauf- 
feur. 

Yet no one could be less spoiled than 
Margaret or more unselfish; a part of this 
was her own nature, another part her mother^s 
thoughtful training. 

Personally Margaret felt humble in the 
depth of her sincere and beautiful nature. 
Her possessions she realized were not herself 
nor due to her own accomplishments. Indi- 
vidually she believed herself less clever and 
less gifted than most of the girls in her own 
Patrol. 

Louise Miller possessed none of her material 
and spiritual advantages. She was poor and 
not congenial with her own family, yet Mar- 
garet believed had a stronger nature and 
rarer talents than she expected to possess. 

This afternoon the small space in front of 
Louise’s home looked especially barren and 
ugly. Two small boys were fighting. They 
stopped at Margaret’s approach, more inter- 
ested in her than in battle. 

After ringing the front door bell Margaret 
thought she heard a querulous voice in the hall, 


140 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


fretfully scolding some one. She could not be 
sure who it was until Mrs. Miller herself 
opened the front door, appearing tired and 
dispirited. 

At the sight of the visitor her face bright- 
ened. She asked her in the parlor without 
mentioning her arrival to Louise. 

Margaret was annoyed. She had not come 
to call upon Mrs. Miller and was not inter- 
ested in what she was saying, although she 
thought her pretty in a faded fashion. 

When Louise’s strong, almost ugly face 
appeared at the open door, Margaret thought 
her handsomer than her mother, so important 
was her undoubted strength of character. 

As a matter of principle Mrs. Miller always 
objected to Louise’s going away from home 
in search of amusement. This afternoon on 
Margaret’s account she did not protest seri- 
ously. She preferred Margaret to Dorothy 
McClain as Louise’s friend, for one reason 
because Louise was not so absorbed in Mar- 
garet. Another, because Mr. Hale possessed 
greater wealth than Dr. McClain. 

Slowly Margaret and Louise walked on 
toward an entirely different quarter of the 
village. Louise confessed that she had been so 
busy at home during the past week that she 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


141 


had no time for outside work. The younger 
children had been suffering from colds and 
been difficult. She had been trying to keep 
them amused to spare her mother as much as 
possible. 

Apparently Louise did not consider that 
she had thus accomplished her Scout duty. 
Margaret insisted upon it, and tried to induce 
Louise to appreciate the fact. 

By and by the girls talked no more of them- 
selves or of their Scouting in their interest 
in the unfamiliar surroundings. 

Most of the cottages in the factory district 
were new and clean. Near the large factory 
buildings the dilapidated tenement houses 
looked gray and battered. 

The girls knew Edith^s street and house 
number and were glad to discover that her 
home was one of the new cottages. 

The yard was larger and more attractive 
than Louise’s. 

In the small space a garden half of vege- 
tables, half flowers, flourished in the summer 
timey now with the winter the yard revealed 
only a few hardy shrubs and several small 
fruit trees with bare, thin branches. 

Edith herself was responsible for the garden. 
Until her family moved into Westhaven she 


142 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


had lived upon a small farm where her father 
had not been successful. Edith still believed 
she preferred the country to the village, except 
that the village gave her the chance to be a 
member of the Eagle’s Wing Troop of Girl 
Scouts. 

Instead of going indoors the girls continued 
their walk. They were frank in explaining 
to Edith that they wished to investigate the 
neighborhood and to ask the benefit of her 
opinion. 

Westhaven was only a small village, yet 
Margaret and Louise were astonished at their 
ignorance of the factory neighborhood. 

In the winter afternoon the smoke of the 
huge chimneys ascended in long, dark columns; 
there was little wind blowing, but_^a sultriness 
that might mean a storm later on. 

Edith had been prompt in her reply to the 
other girls’ question. 

Not far off was a school a dozen yards from 
one of the largest factories in the village. 
Among the children there were always some 
who needed aid. 

Now that the girls of her Patrol had learned 
to understand Edith Linder they had made 
this discovery:. What had appeared to be 
sullenness and lack of appreciation of friendli- 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


143 


ness was shyness. She had never known any 
girls intimately until her arrival in Westhaven. 
The little farm where she had spent her child- 
hood had been some distance from any other 
and she some years older than her own brothers 
and sisters. During the summer in Beech- 
wood Forest the other Girl Scouts had learned 
that Edith^s gifts were practical. She was 
strong and capable, although lacking certain 
refinements she never had the chance to 
acquire until her contact with her Patrol 
of Girl Scouts. She learned from them, and 
equally they would be able to learn from her. 

Following Edith’s suggestion, Margaret 
Hale stopped and called Joan Peters and 
Martha Greaves, the English Girl Guide, on 
the telephone. 

They would be interested in their expedi- 
tion. ^Tory and Dorothy she knew to be busy 
elsewhere. The fact of Dorothy’s departure 
to New York she had not heard. 

^'She and Martha were just starting out for 
a walk,” Joan reported, ''and would be with 
them in a few moments.” 

The little group walked on in a more 
leisurely fashion, waiting for their compan- 
ions, whom they were to meet on an appointed 
corner. 


144 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


It was now about three o^clock in the after- 
noon of a day that was to be long remembered 
in Westhaven. 

The streets were comparatively empty. At 
this hour the employees in the factories were 
particularly absorbed by their work, with 
lunch over and the afternoon still in its early 
hours. 

The three Girl Scouts were able to walk 
abreast without troubling any one, moving 
aside if it became necessary. 

Near a shirt factory not far from the corner 
where the friends had agreed to meet, Edith 
Linder paused. 

^Tn there my mother and father are at 
work,” she explained. may have to work 
there some day myself, but I shall never like 
it. I only care for a farm and outdoor occu- 
pations.” 

Well, then, marry a farmer, Edith,” Mar- 
garet Hale said laughingly. 

^Terhaps I will if I have a chance,” Edith 
answered. 

Louise looked more serious. 

Suppose we live together, Edith ! You and 
I who love the outdoors in such different 
fashion. Yours is certainly the sensible one. 
I have such a grubby attitude, wanting only 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


145 


to poke around and study the trees and soil, 
never to make things grow. 

“Why is the smoke coming out of that side 
wall of the factory? Do you suppose trash 
is being burned over there? 

Idly Louise spoke, with no special interest 
in her voice and a httle surprised by her own 
discovery. Ordinarily she was not as observ- 
ant as she should be. 

The other girTs hand closed on her arm 
until the tightness of her hold was uncom- 
fortable. 

“WTiat is it, Edith?’’ Margaret Hale asked 
anxiously. She had not listened to the con- 
versation for the last few seconds. 

There was no immediate reply, but the 
tension in Edith Linder’s face and figure was 
plain to her companions. 

“It is nothing, I suppose, I was a little 
afraid of a fire,” Edith returned. “I think 
one often is in a factory neighborhood. I 
suppose I am more fearful because I have 
lived in the country.” 

Undoubtedly the smoke was increasing, yet 
neither Louise nor Margaret was alarmed. 
Gusts of smoke frequently appear in unex- 
pected places to an outsider’s eyes and usually 
can be traced to a natural source. Inside the 


146 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


factory the occupants must be aware of what 
was taking place. The wind was now blowing 
in occasional gusts and probably forcing the 
smoke in varying directions. 

The two girls started to move on past the 
factory building. 

Edith held them back. 

“Not for a moment, please, not until I can 
be sure. Will you wait here? I think I had 
best go to the front door and inquire what is 
the matter. You see, I know the manager 
and it will be all right.’’ 

This time Edith was walking on alone, when 
Louise called out sharply: 

“Edith, there is a fire! Don’t go nearer.” 

That instant a flame had leaped upward, 
showing scarlet against the window. 

Margaret and Louise heard a curious com- 
mingling of sounds they were never to forget 
Edith had broken away and was running with 
outstretched arms and lowered head toward 
the narrow door opening into the factory office. 

Came the noise of an explosion, then 
muffied cries from within the building, grow- 
ing in volume, and echoed by the inhabitants 
of the nearby cottages and tenements. 

A bell pealed somewhere. Several men 
rushed by on the way to give the alarm. 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


147 


Too stunned to be of service for the moment, 
Margaret and Louise crowded against a 
friendly fence. 

Why were the men and women, the girls 
and boys inside the burning building not 
already streaming out into the streets? 

Out of the downstairs windows a few people 
were jumping and pushing one another. 
From the front door a dozen women and men 
ran and then a little distance off stood still, 
gazing upward and caUing to friends above 
the uproar. 

Edith Linder did not reappear. 

A half dozen policemen appeared. Louise 
and Margaret found themselves thrust back- 
ward and not allowed beyond a certain line. 

“What is the trouble? Why don’t they 
clear out?” the girls overheard one man ask 
the other. 

“ Something pretty bad is the trouble! The 
fire has started below and the stairs are choked 
with smoke. Too many people in there for 
the size of the building. I have been afraid 
of something like this.” 

Down the street came the welcome noise of 
the first fire engine. 

“Is there anything we can do to be useful, 
officer?” Margaret Hale asked. 


148 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


She had regained her self-command and 
walked as close as possible to the dividing line, 
followed by Louise Miller. 

The girls were wearing their Scout uniforms 
and now appeared calm and efficient. 

Yes, glad to have your help! See you are 
Scouts! In a few moments the children, 
whose mothers and fathers are locked in there, 
will be crowding the streets. Help to keep 
them back out of the danger line.’^ 

Not a moment too soon had the order been 
given. 

At this instant Margaret reached to clutch 
a httle girl, pushing her way past, wild with 
terror. 

She fought and screamed while Margaret 
held her fast. 

^^Be quiet, your mother will be here in a few 
moments. If you don’t stay with me, she 
will never know where to find you,” she found 
herself whispering reassuringly. And some- 
thing in her voice and manner made the child 
obey. 

The following moment she opened the gate 
of the fence against which she and Louise had 
sheltered themselves and drew the little girl 
inside. 

It chanced that in this particular place an 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


149 


old building, erected many years ago and now 
used for storage, stood back from the sidewalk 
with a yard protected by a picket fence. 

The yard could be made a place of refuge 
for the children who would try to press inside 
the fire lines. Margaret knew she must find 
some one to assist her. She turned to look 
for Louise Miller and discovered that Louise 
had a small boy by the shoulders and was 
pushing him before her into the same retreat. 

No great length of time could have passed 
when Margaret Hale and Louise were being 
assisted by a dozen members of the Eagle’s 
Wing Troop. Afterwards the two girls remem- 
bered they had felt no surprise. The news of 
the burning of the factory had spread through 
the village and naturally the girls had come 
to be of service. 

This was their first important test. Never 
before had they been able to assume any 
public responsibility in the village! Were 
they making good in the same fashion that 
the Boy Scouts had upon many occasions? 

The small yard became more and more 
crowded with frightened, crying children. 
Occasionally a policeman thrust a lost child 
into the midst of the others and went on his 
way. 


150 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


The factory was not yet emptied of its 
workers. Numbers of excited men and women 
went past; a few tried to linger and push 
their way in among the children in search of 
their own, but were forced on. 

By this time a high wind was blowing and 
the flames from the burning frame building 
crackled and roared, throwing forth long 
pennants of flame, as if a flag whipped in 
the wind were then drawn back. 

Margaret Hale knew she must have over- 
heard the explanation, that a door leading 
to the flight of stairs on the top floor had been 
locked. A hundred men and women were 
trapped; with the lower floors in flames, they 
were unable to escape. 

The firemen were ascending ladders and 
drawing them forth one by one. 

With so much to absorb energy and atten- 
tion, Margaret and Louise Miller never lost 
the memory of Edith Linder’s sudden disap- 
pearance inside the factory door. Perhaps 
she had been able to give the alarm or assist 
in the rescue. She was extraordinarily brave. 
The other Girl Scouts had guessed this trait 
of character on several unimportant occasions 
during their summer together in Beechwood 
Forest. 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


151 


She could not have observed the little 
group of her companions when she came past, 
as she must have left the building some time 
before. One of the side walls had fallen in 
and the fire was diminishing. 

The police were urging people to return to 
their homes. The worst was now over, but a 
space must be kept clear. 

Would the Girl Scouts help the children to 
find their parents? 

The oflicer to whom Margaret had first 
offered her own and Louise’s hid stopped to 
lift his hat to her. 

It is not to you only. Miss, I am taking off 
my hat. It is to the whole of you Girl Scouts. 
Sure and you’ve done yourselves proud, and 
the village!” he remarked, with a delightful 
Irish brogue, appearing as self-possessed and 
good-natured as if he had not passed through 
the ordeal of the last hour. 

It was after dusk when Louise and Mar- 
garet made their way again to Edith Linder’s. 
They were too weary to speak to each other 
and too overstrained, yet could not go to 
their homes for the night without news of 
Edith. 

She came out to meet them, and Margaret 
Hale, usually so self-contained, put her arms 


152 


THE GmL SCOUTS 


about her, dropping her head on her shoulder. 

Edith, I have not had time to confess it 
even to myself, but I have been so frightened 
about you! Why were you so reckless? 
Surely you could do nothing to help!” 

Edith made no reply to this question. Later 
the Girl Scouts were to learn what she had 
accomplished. 


CHAPTER XIV 


AN INTRODUCTION 


EW days later Tory Drew and her 



Troop Captain were driving out toward 


^ the evergreen cabin. It was a mild 
winter afternoon, with light patches of snow 
where the sun had not shone and the ice melt- 
ing between the ruts in the road. 

^^It is good of you, Miss Mason, to drive 
with me to see Mr. Winslow. Uncle Richard 
and I came out yesterday to find if he were 
comfortable, and Memory Frean has offered to 
be of any service. Just the same, he might 
have been lonely if I had not kept my word 
and brought you! 

^^Mr. Winslow asked me yesterday to whom 
he was indebted for the suggestion of the 
cabin and I told him you, I told him a great 
deal about you.’’ 

Sheila Mason laughed. 

She was looking very lovely in a dark-blue 
velvet coat suit with a kolinsky collar and 
cuffs, and a velvet hat of the same shade 
against the fairness of her pale-gold hair. 


( 153 ) 


154 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


''Your friend will think I am a very informal 
person, coming to call upon him in this fashion 
before he has called upon me, or before I 
have even been introduced. Still, it was hard 
for you to have Dorothy desert you just as 
you were both to take charge of your gifted 
invalid! I am afraid he may find that he is 
lonely and dissatisfied so far from the village 
and I want him to feel that he may make 
friends in Westhaven whenever he desires, 
although we do not wish to be troublesome/’ 

"I wonder if you know how pretty you are 
looking, Sheila? Most people do know when 
they are looking especially weU!” 

In thinking of Sheila Mason as their Girl 
Scout Captain, Tory always intended address- 
ing her by her title, but when they were alone 
she often employed her first name. 

With half-closed eyes she now gazed at her 
friend critically. 

"If I were a full-fledged artist I would ask 
you to let me paint a portrait of you. As I am 
not, I would never be able to do you justice. 
I am sure Mr. Winslow would make a wonder- 
ful picture! Why don’t you allow him the 
chance? Then he would not be lonely this 
winter and you would learn to know each 
other and I am sure — ” 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


155 


Tory stopped and colored. 

Sheila Mason was returning her glance, 
laughing and frowning. 

“No romancing, please, Tory, now or ever! 
If you start I shall refuse to get out at the 
evergreen cabin, and have the chauffeur motor 
me back home. You girls are pretty good 
usually, but I observed a tendency on Doro- 
thy^s part a week or ten days ago to make me 
figure iu a romance and this afternoon you 
are drawing perilously near. Please under- 
stand, dear, that romance is over for me for- 
ever, and let us never speak of it. I am ever so 
much happier with you Girl Scouts than I 
dreamed I could be.” 

The younger girl bit her lips. 

“I’ll try to remember,” she returned apolo- 
getically, “but really, Sheila, don’t you think 
you are young to talk as if love and romance 
have ended for you? Think of Uncle Richard 
and Memory Frean! They never say any- 
thing and yet now and then I cannot help 
guessing they must be a little sorry. I have 
been considering the men I have met in West- 
haven and really no one of them if half as 
nice as you are; but Mr. Winslow is different. 
I beg your pardon. I won’t speak of this 
again. Don’t be angry; I’ll change the sub- 


156 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


ject and never refer to it. There are several 
other things I really want dreadfully to talk 
to you about. 

“DonT you think it odd that I have never 
heard a word from Dorothy or Kara since 
Dr. McClain and Dorothy reached New 
York? I can’t imagine whether it is because 
Lance is so ill, or because something has 
developed about Kara. Still, I don’t see how 
a letter from Lance’s friend, Mr. Moore, can 
have any connection with Kara. I don’t 
really think so. Only, I nearly always am 
thinking of her.” 

A silence fell between the girl and her com- 
panion and the sensation of annoyance passed 
from Sheila Mason. Girls of Tory’s age and 
the other Girl Scouts were inclined to be senti- 
mental, not in regard to themselves but their 
older friends. The sentiment Tory had just 
uttered was not hers alone. Now and then 
Sheila’s own mother protested that she must 
not sacrifice her entire life to a memory. She 
was altogether too young and pretty. 

Either with her mother or Tory, Sheila did 
not agree. The other girl’s devotion to Kath- 
erine Moore always made an appeal to her. 

At this moment she slipped her hand inside 
her companion’s. 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


157 


would not believe there is anything 
serious the matter with Lance or Kara until 
you hear. Your are sure to have a letter from 
Dorothy by to-morrow. She has only been 
away a short time and is probably so distracted 
by New York. Remember your Knighthood, 
Tory, and be brave as possible.’’ 

The girl smiled ruefully, but afterwards 
her expression brightened. 

'^We have one Knight of our Girl Scout 
Round Table whose banner can be inscribed 
with the story of a noble deed. Isn’t it won- 
derful to think of Edith Linder’s bravery? 
Memory Frean says that the people of West- 
haven wish to offer her a reward of some kind 
to show their appreciation of what she accom- 
plished as a Girl Scout. We have no right to 
share in the honor, I least of all, who objected 
to Edith’s joining our Patrol when her name 
was first proposed! Don’t you think she has 
earned the Golden Eaglet?” 

The Troop Captain nodded. 

have been thinking the same thing. No 
one would dispute the justice of Edith’s claim 
to the highest honor a Girl Scout can attain. 
How often the people who do the bravest acts 
are those we least expect it of 1” 

^^Yes, and Edith is unconscious as if she 


158 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


had done nothing at all. She does not wish 
to be praised or to discuss the question. Mar- 
garet and Louise declare that Edith did not 
refer to anything unusual when they went to 
see if she were safe. She looked used up, but 
then so did every one else who had been 
helping.’’ 

^^Can you tell me a clear story of what 
Edith did?” the Troop Captain inquired. 
wish to write an account to the Scout magazine 
and to make no mistake.” 

Tory Drew closed her eyes. Her mental 
impression was always clearer with nothing to 
distract her from the outside. 

think I can tell you briefly. 

“When Edith entered the factory building 
there was no one in the ofiice. The alarm of 
fire had just been shouted through the building 
and the superintendent had rushed out. 
Edith ran into one of the rooms on the ground 
floor where the men and women were already 
making their escape. She overheard some one 
say there was no danger; everybody would be 
able to get out. Her mother and father she 
believed^at work on the top floor, and Edith 
started up the stairs. As she ran some one 
shouted to her to come down, as the stairways 
were filling with smoke. She kept on, although 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


159 


nearly knocked down any number of times by 
frightened people rushing past. Once Edith 
believed she was overcome by the smoke and 
dropped on the floor, and some one trampled 
over her. This seemed to bring her to her 
senses, for she got up and continued struggling 
up a flight of steps, black and thick with acrid 
fumes. She could hear people shouting and 
beating on a door at the top of the stairs. 

Edith insists that she had no idea of this 
door being locked or what she was going to 
accomplish, and for this reason deserves no 
special praise or reward. She was only fight- 
ing her way to her mother and father. 

“She says she recalls puzzling over the fact 
that no one was running down these stairs 
as she dragged herseK up. Then she put out 
her hand and touched a heavy steel door. She 
could see nothing and was scarcely conscious 
of what she was doing. The door would not 
move, so she threw herself against it blindly, 
searching for the key, found and turned it in 
the lock. The door seemed to fall open from 
the weight of the men and women who had 
been trying to rush it. Her mother happened 
to be on a lower floor. Edith^s own father car- 
ried her downstairs when the others were so 
crazed with fear theymighthavetrampledher.^' 


160 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


Tory put her gloved hands against her hot 
cheeks and leaned over toward the open 
window of the car for a breath of the winter air. 

Please do not let us talk of the fire again, 
Sheila, not for some time anyhow, certainly 
not to Mr. Winslow. I dread the thought of it ; 
I think of nothing else, waking or sleeping. It 
may seem absurd, but Edith Linder was much 
calmer than I when we talked of it.^^ 

The Troop Captain put her arm about the 
younger girl. 

^^No, Tory dear, we wonT speak of it again; 
I am sorry I troubled you. You are more 
sensitive and impressionable than the other 
girls and I ought to have remembered!’’ 

Tory’s lips were trembling. 

^^That is a kind way of expressing things, 
Sheila, when the truth is I am a bigger goose. 
A good many people were injured. The Girl 
Scouts will have no difficulty now in finding 
people who need their care. I am giving nearly 
every cent of my allowance to the fund that 
is being raised.” 

Fortunately the automobile had reached 
the end of the country road. To arrive at the 
evergreen cabin one must now follow a foot- 
path. 

With pleasure and relief the Troop Captain 




OP THE ROUND TABLE 16 i 

and Tory started along the familiar trail, 
leading to the heart of their former summer 
encampment in Beechwood Forest. 

This afternoon the little house showed more 
plainly. Many of the leaves were frosted and 
fallen, revealing the heavy tangle of the vines. 

''Do you wish we were living here, instead 
of Mr. Winslow?^’ Tory demanded. 

"No, I am afraid it would be too lonely 
unless one were a genius or a lover of nature 
like Memory Frean. I believe she is lonely^ 
herself now and then, although she will never 
confess it. She and Mr. Winslow are close 
neighbors. Why can’t you develop a romance 
between them?” 

Emphatically Tory shook her head. 

"Certainly not. Memory is years older? 
Besides, her romance belongs in our family f 
Goodness, there is Mr. Winslow at the door! 
He is dreadfully shy and if he should dream I 
have been romancing about him I am afraid 
would go back at once to New York.” 

A tall, slightly stooped man with the fine 
brown eyes and sweep of darker brown hair 
walked down the path to meet them. He was 
not like Sheila’s mental impression of him. 
He was younger and had more courtesy, more 
sense of humor, than she had imagined. 


11 


162 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


He seemed appreciative of her call without 
taking it too seriously. 

He had been expecting Tory and one of 
her friends, so had made arrangements for tea. 

A fair amount of inexpensive china had been 
left in an old cabinet at the cabin when the 
Girl Scouts returned to their homes. 

The little stove, set up inside the fireplace, 
was warmer than an open fire, if not so pic- 
turesque. 

Mr. Winslow had brought but few of his 
personal possessions. He had several favorite 
pictures hung against the rich brown wood of 
the cabin walls. 

A sketch book lay open on a table. 

Sheila Mason saw it at once and asked to be 
allowed to look at the sketches. 

In spite of his beautiful manners she had 
discovered that her new acquaintance was 
shyer than she had imagined. Dorothy and 
Tory were not so far from the truth, for he did 
give one the impression that he suffered from a 
disappointment that had had a deep influence 
upon his nature. Whether his disappointment 
was due to his lack of success or to some other 
reason, Sheila had no way of estimating. 
Wlien they knew each other better he might 
confide in her. She felt they might become 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


16S 


friends, as he would recognize that she too had 
been more unhappy than most people. 

These were the Troop Captain’s unspoken 
impressions as she and Mr. Winslow sat by 
the window of the cabin studying his book of 
sketches. Already he had made a drawing of 
the cabin with the beechwood forest as a 
background which she greatly admired and 
coveted. 

As they talked Tory was making the final 
preparations for tea. 

She insisted the privilege be granted her, as 
she knew the resources of the cabin better 
than its present host. Moreover, her aunt. 
Miss Victoria Fenton, had sent the newcomer 
a number of gifts for his present and future 
comfort. 

Tory had carried them packed in a basket. 

She placed the cake and the home-made jam 
on the table, glancing frequently at her two 
companions. 

They seemed to be getting on very well, con- 
sidering their brief acquaintance, 

It occurred to Tory that she was being 
ignored more than she anticipated, considering 
the fact that she had first met Mr. Winslow 
and that his presence in the evergreen cabin 
was due to their friendship. 


164 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


The Troop Captain had taken off her velvet 
coat and hat, as the room was warm. The 
two heads were bent close over the sketch 
book. 

Studying them, Tory smiled. 

Not half an hour before she had been 
reproached for being romantic and made to 
promise never to offend again. Certainly she 
had not dreamed that Miss Mason and Mr. 
Winslow would develop a liking for each other 
so promptly. 

When tea was ready, purposely Tory called 
Mr. Winslow to her assistance. He should 
not be monopolized. 

She hoped that he would become sufficiently 
interested in her to allow her to study paint- 
ing with him during the approaching summer. 

They had a delightful tea. Returning 
home, Tory had forgotten the circumstances 
that had been troubling her: Dr. McClain 
and Dorothy^s unexpected summons to New 
York City and the fact that she had not 
received her usual letter from Katherine 
Moore. 

In the front hall Mr. Richard Fenton was 
awaiting her arrival. 

^^We are leaving on an early train in the 
jnorning for New York, if you can manage to 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


1^5 


be ready, Tory. Your Aunt Victoria will 
help you pack your bag. I donT think there 
is any cause to be alarmed. I have just 
received a telegram from Dr. McClain asking 
me to join him as soon as possible and to 
bring you. Please donT worry or I shall be 
sorry to have had to mention the telegram 
to you to-night. If you wish to be of service, 
Tory dear, you must keep your self-control.’’ 


CHAPTER XV 


UNRAVELING 


'r' the Grand Central Station Mr. 



Fenton and Tory found not only Dr. 


^ ^ McClain and Dorothy awaiting them, 
but Mr. Jeremy Hammond. 

Tory^s first impression was surprise at his 
unexpected presence. She had not seen him 
since the summer before in Beechwood Forest, 
when he had insisted upon investigating more 
thoroughly the evergreen cabin in quest of 
information with regard to Katherine Moore. 
Nothing had come of the search save a package 
of letters apparently of no importance. 

During the winter Kara had written that 
Mr. and Mrs. Hammond had come frequently 
to see her, bringing the small girl whom they 
had adopted from the Gray House on the Hill. 

Not the faintest envy had ever influenced 
Kara. Tory had never been able to dispel a 
slight resentment that Mr. Hammond^s choice 
had fallen upon the exquisite wilful little girl 
rather than upon Kara. 

Mr. Hammond had come to the Gray House 
to seek for Kara. She was the child he had 


( 166 ) 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


167 


discovered in the deserted cabin years before. 
His sudden fascination with Lucy’s youth and 
beauty caused him to disregard Kara’s finer 
possibilities. However, he had afterwards 
proved himself Kara’s friend and been deeply 
interested in her recovery. Tory concluded 
that she had no right to harbor any grievance. 
Assuredly Kara would seriously object to such 
an emotion. 

The instant after greetings had been ex- 
changed, Dorothy slipped her arm through the 
newcomer’s and drew her apart from the 
others. 

Tory found herself afraid to look closely at 
her friend. 

Would Dorothy’s face reveal strain and 
unhappiness from the past few days. 

Lance?” she queried with the first glance, 
and felt a sense of relief before the reply. 

Dorothy appeared grave, even disturbed, 
but not unhappy. 

“No, there is nothing the matter with 
Lance. In fact, he has had a piece of rare good 
fortune. We are to go to Mr. Hammond’s 
oflSce as soon as you and Mr. Fenton have left 
your bags at a hotel. Father must return to 
Westhaven as soon as possible and wants to 
talk to you first. Please don’t ask questions. 


168 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


It is all too involved and mysterious to make 
you understand anything. I don^t understand, 
although I have heard every detail.^^ 

^'One thing I must ask: Has the mystery 
to do with Kara?^^ 

Dorothy nodded. 

‘^Yes, but not what you think!’’ which was 
something of a triumph as an answer that was 
valueless. 

To save time, Mr. Fenton and Tory agreed 
to go directly to Mr. Hammond’s place of 
business, which was not far away. He had a 
private office and their interview, that ap- 
peared to be secret, would not be interrupted. 
A telephone message secured the necessary 
liotel accommodations. 

Tory’s surroundings made a vivid impres- 
sion upon her, although she was scarcely aware 
of having done more than glance about her in 
the hour that followed. 

On one of the highest floors in a tall building 
Mr. Hammond’s office windows commanded a 
magnificent view of the city — ^the broken sky- 
line, the matchless harbor, dotted with ships 
from the seven seas, the network of fairy-like 
bridges crossing to Long Island. 

Tory sat in a small, straight-backed chair 
near one of the windows, with Dorothy close 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


169 


beside her. Their faces were turned away 
from the distant vista and their eyes upon the 
central figure in the group of three men. 

Mr. Hammond was in his office chair near 
his roll-top desk. 

His usual somewhat careless, debonair ex- 
pression had altered to one of concern. 

‘^1 am going to ask Hammond to tell you 
the story,” Dr. McClain explained. “He has 
more experience with this sort of thing. I 
confess a country doctor comes in touch with 
more curious and romantic circumstances 
than most people imagine. This is a more 
complicated situation than I am accustomed 
to handling. Personally, I am disturbed; I 
don’t know what to believe or the next step to 
take.” 

“You are not making the reason for our 
unexpected summons to New York any 
plainer,” Mr. Fenton returned, smiling at his 
older friend’s preoccupation. 

Tory gave a suppressed sigh to suggest the 
eagerness of her own interest, but managed 
to make no remark. 

“ It is difficult to know just where to start,” 
Mr. Hammond added. “Dr. McClain is 
right. The story contains a number of puz- 
zling details that make it hard to accept. Yet 


170 


THE GIKL SCOUTS 


there is no point in Moore^s telling anything' 
that is not the truth. He has nothing to gain 
except added responsibihty. And in a day or 
so he claims he will be able to offer more 
definite proof. In the interval, Mr. Fenton, 
Dr. McClain and I decided to ask not only 
your advice but your niece’s. Had we best 
go on, or let the affair drop here.” 

“Yes; but oh, what is it you are talking 
about?” Tory demanded, unable to keep 
silence longer. 

Mr. Hammond smiled. 

“I don’t wonder you are growing restless, 
but please Hsten carefully. There are so 
many circumstances and chance meetings that 
have to be interwoven. 

“In the first place, Lance McClain teffs his 
father and sister that quite by accident he 
came in contact with a Mr. Moore. It seems 
that he is a musical chap and appears to be 
rich and cultivated. Well, he took an interest 
in Lance. He confided to me he thinks the 
boy a kind of a genius and wants to help him. 

“In the early part of their acquaintance 
they talked of nothing but music and Lance’s 
ambition to set the world on fire by to-morrow 
or next day, also the fact that his family had 
not the proper faith in him. By and by 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


171 


Lance seems to have announced that his father 
was a fairly good sort, except for this weakness, 
and was a physician in the town of Westhaven, 
Lance tells me Westhaven awakened Mr. 
Moore’s interest at once. Moore wanted to 
know the size of the place and its exact posi- 
tion, who the prominent people were and what 
towns were nearby. With the aid of a railroad 
map and time-table the questions were not 
difficult to answer. Afterwards Lance could 
supply him with the town’s social history. 
The boy declares he was puzzled to understand 
any cause for his new friend’s interest in West- 
haven, but for some reason felt in honor 
bound not to inquire. 

^^This is where I enter the mystery story.” 

At this instant Tory leaned forward, her 
lips parted. Would Mr. Hammond at last 
reveal the point in all his past ten minutes’ 
conversation? What possible difference could 
it make to any of them whether a complete 
stranger happened to care to hear unimportant 
facts concerning the town of Westhaven? 
Once more it occurred to Tory that the village 
was not of such supreme moment as its inhab- 
itants considered it. 

was reading the paper one morning 
when idly my eyes fell upon an advertisement 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


m 

signed Moore, asking that some one from West- 
haven communicate with the writer. I recalled 
the fact that one or two of the letters we dis- 
covered in the evergreen cabin were signed 
^ Moore.’ 

'^If I had not been going to see Kara at the 
time and felt tremendously concerned over 
her misfortune, I don’t believe I would have 
paid any attention to the notice. I chanced to 
see Kara that same afternoon. We laughed 
over it and I promised to reply to the adver- 
tisement, hoping it might be entertainment 
for her. The child was having such a hope- 
lessly dull and trying time!” 

She had not intended to speak, but Tory was 
given to impetuous utterance of her opinions 
and emotions. 

am so sorry, Mr. Hammond. I thought 
you were not in the least interested in Kara, 
that you cared only for Lucy. I hoped you 
would have chosen to adopt Kara when you 
came for the purpose to the Gray House on 
the Hill.” 

Tory abruptly stopped, feeling, rather than 
seeing, that her uncle’s eyes were upon her, 
reproving her for the interruption. 

Mr. Hammond did not appear seriously 
annoyed. 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


173 


Perhaps I should, Tory, but there is no 
accounting for other people^s wishes and 
tastes. I wanted a younger child than Kara, 
and Lucy fascinated me. You are mistaken, 
however; if I was not interested by Kara at 
that first meeting, afterwards I learned to 
admire and care for her. If you will try and 
wait for the end of my story, perhaps you may 
find that Kara had a better fortune in store 
for her than I could bestow. 

I have always known something wonderful 
would happen for Kara,” Tory murmured, 
and then flushed and bit her lips. 

‘^Do please be still and wait, canT you, 
Tory?” Dorothy whispered with an impa- 
tience she rarely showed. 

“DonT you think you are going too far, 
Hammond?” Dr. McClain interposed. You 
are giving Richard Fenton and Tory the 
impression that we have actual information 
when neither of us is completely convinced.” 

Having the same sanguine and ardent tem- 
perament that Tory Drew possessed, Mr. 
Hammond appeared a little nonplussed. 

'^Yes? Well, perhaps you are right. Dr. 
McClain, although I might as well confess 
right here that personally I am convinced. 
It is getting on toward lunch time. Will you 


174 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


have lunch with me and allow me to end my 
story afterwards? 

Not daring to speak again, Tory’s imploring 
gaze at her uncle would have influenced his 
decision had he not been of the same mind. 

^^No, we are in no hurry for lunch and con- 
siderably impatient to discover how Lance 
McClain’s new-found friend has any connec- 
tion with Katherine Moore. I recall the child 
was brought to the Gray House on the Hill 
when she was little more than a baby, mth 
nothing known of her parentage or history 
save the name written on a slip of paper 
pinned to her dress.” 

‘^Why, this Mr. Owen Moore claims to be 
her — ” 

Father?” Mr. Fenton finished. 

Tory glanced at him in an amused fashion in 
spite of the intensity of her excitement, so 
rarely did Mr. Fenton forget to be perfectly 
courteous. 

The other man shook his head. 

^‘No, not so simple as that! The story 
is more involved and a good deal more 
sentimental, romantic, whatever you wish 
to call it.” 

don’t see any reason why one should not 
believe what Mr. Moore says,” Dorothy 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


175 


McClain declared, breaking into the conversa- 
tion for the first time. The color was coming 
and going swiftly in her clear skin, her gray- 
blue eyes were calm and untroubled. '^He is 
a gentleman and has any number of friends 
willing to guarantee the truth of what he says. 
Lance declares he is the kindest and sincerest 
human being he has ever known. ‘ 

'^Well, here is what Mr. Moore told me at 
our original interview! Later we decided to 
send for Dr. McClain and Dorothy for two 
reasons; Mr. Moore wished to have some one 
else judge of his statement. He also wished 
some one else to verify the account I gave of 
discovering a baby, deserted in a cabin on the 
outskirts of Westhaven more than ten years 
ago. Moreover, Mr. Moore had an added 
interest in seeing Dr. McClain and Dorothy 
in that he wished to propose a plan concerning 
Lance, Mr. Hammond continued. 

^^Owen Moore is a quiet, eccentric man, I 
should say between thirty and forty years old, 
who comes originally from Boston. 

'^Somewhere between ten and eleven years 
ago he was seriously ill when he received a 
letter from an old friend asking him to come 
to her at once. I believe she had been more 
than a friend when they were younger. They 


176 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


had been engaged and the engagement broken 
ojff for a reason they afterguards regretted. 
So, notwithstanding his illness, knowing that 
the need was urgent, he went at once to the 
writer of the letter. He found her in a tumble- 
down farmhouse between twenty and thirty 
miles from Westhaven. She was deserted 
and alone save for the kindness of the neigh- 
bors, the nearest living more than a mile 
away. The only human being with her was 
a Uttle girl of between two and three years 
of age. 

“Very soon after his arrival he saw that his 
friend was dying. She and a physician left 
no doubt of the matter in his mind. 

“She asked him to take her little girl, to 
adopt her and give her the name, Katherine 
Moore.’' 

Dorothy’s hand reached out and caught 
Tory’s, calming her excitement by her quiet 
grasp. 

“Mr. Moore gave her his promise. The 
child’s father had disappeared and there was 
no one else. He agreed to return later and 
take the little girl away, and in the meantime 
intended to arrange that the friend he had 
once cared for should have every comfort. 

“It was not necessary; she died before he 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


17r 


could leave. After things were over he started 
away on horseback with the child. There is 
nothing so extraordinary in this; romantic of 
course, but life is full of romance! Mr. Moore 
is perfectly able to prove this portion of his 
story; people are still living in the neighbor- 
hood who remember the circumstances. I 
took it upon myself to go to the place and 
inquire soon after my original interview with 
Mr. Moore. Look here, Dr. McClain, you 
take the story up here. I have not talked so 
continuously in years. This is your province, 
that it has to do with illness.’^ 

Dr. McClain nodded. 

“I seem to be the doubting spirit in this 
matter. I know that Dorothy and Lance and 
I realize now that Mr. Hammond is equally 
convinced. Of course Mr. Moore has noth- 
ing to gain, and what he tells of taking place 
afterwards is perfectly plausible. 

“Until after he rode away from the farm- 
house with the little girl, he scarcely^ had 
thought of his own state of health. He had 
been conscious of exhaustion and headache, 
but too wholly absorbed by the sorrowful 
parting to give any thought to himself. 

“As he rode on, he became more and more 
aware that he was suffering from dizziness 


12 


178 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


and headache. He repented having brought 
the child with him. He had thought of noth- 
ing else at the time but to get as far away from 
the scene as possible. He intended taking a 
train for Boston at a nearby station and send- 
ing the horse back to a neighboring farm by 
some one at the station. He was not famihar 
with the country and lost his way. He con- 
tinued riding on, growing less and less respon- 
sible for what he was doing. He seems very 
hazy upon these details, but believes he dis- 
mounted and went into a house that he saw 
along the way to ask for aid. He claims to 
have known nothing more of what took place 
for weeks. He awakened in a hospital in 
Boston, where he had been desperately ill. 
Not at once did he recall the experience 
through which he had lately passed, and only 
by degrees did the knowledge return to him.’^ 

“Well, why did he not come back and find 
Kara as soon as he remembered?’’ Tory 
demanded, torn between anger and rapture. 

This was a more thrilling story than her 
imagination had conceived in days when she 
used to amuse the practical Kara with the 
wildest stories of her unknown history. 

“I don’t myself see why not, Tory,” Dr. 
McClain answered. “ Mr. Moore says that he 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


179 


did make careful inquiries, but had no idea 
of where he had left the child, not even 
the name of any nearby town. He must have 
ridden a good many miles before he reached 
the vicinity of the evergreen cabin. He has 
always had some one employed to investigate 
the matter and always expected eventually 
to find the child. Some months ago he was 
told of the Gray House on the Hill in West- 
haven, and naturally reached the conclusion 
that the Httle girl may have been brought up 
in an orphan asylum. He sent a lawyer to 
Westhaven to make inquiries and inserted the 
advertisement that Mr. Hammond answered. 
When he learned Lance came from West- 
haven, naturally he proved another source of 
information.^’ 

^'Well, has Mr. Moore seen Kara? What 
does she say? How has she borne the excite- 
ment? How amused and surprised Kara must 
be after always insisting that she was the most 
prosaic of persons and never would there be 
any possible interest connected with her his- 
tory!” Tory exclaimed. 

Dr. McClain frowned. 

^^That is just it, Tory, and the reason we 
have sent for you. Kara has not seen Mr. 
Moore, she has been told nothing. If his story 


180 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


is not true, or if she should not be the child, 
I am worried concerning the effect it might 
have upon her. She is improving slowly and 
I don^t wish anything to interfere. What is 
your opinion?’’ 

^^Tell Kara at once,” Tory repHed. '^She 
has the right to hear. You need not be afraid 
for Kara in a situation like this. She is one 
of the sanest people in the world. If nothing 
comes of it she will be no less happy. All she 
really cares for is to be well again so that she 
can make her own future.” 

^^Then you girls will prepare her?” Dr. 
McClain asked. 

There was nothing for Tory and Dorothy 
save to agree. 


CHAPTER XVI 


DOUBT 

I NEVER heard a more unlikely story 
in my life, Tory darling; it certainly 
can have nothing to do with me! I 
don^t see how you and Dorothy can possibly 
regard it seriously. Oh, well, perhaps I can 
see that you would seize upon any straw and 
let your imagination do the rest! You always 
have been so determined to find me a thrilling 
background. But, Dorothy, you are a much 
more matter-of-fact person and donT really 
believe this Mr. Moore has any connection 
with me.” 

The three girls were driving along Riverside, 
not in a car, but actually in an old-fashioned 
carriage, which Mr. Fenton had obtained with 
great difficulty. 

Kara was well enough to be in need of fresh 
air and a change of environment. Her two 
friends thought she appeared frailer than when 
they had last seen her during the Christmas 
holidays, but in a happier state of mind. So 
they had chosen to confide their piece of news 
( 181 ) 


182 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


not inside her small hospital room, but during 
a quiet drive along the river. 

At first it appeared a problem to divert 
Kara’s attention from the beauty of the 
PaUsades, smoke-gray and violet in the after- 
noon light, from her iaterest in the cars passing 
and repassing, from the boats moving slowly 
or swiftly up and down the broad expanse of 
water. 

A faint color came into her cheeks, her eyes 
were growing more humorous and less wistful. 
Neither of her companions wished to intrude 
a serious subject of conversation upon her 
mood. 

Surely, you have been out driving before, 
haven’t you, Kara? You have been well 
enough to be out of doors for several weeks. 
Can’t you pay more attention to us and less 
to the scenery?” Tory demanded finally, 
fearing the drive might be at an end and they 
forced to separate before their story could be 
told. 

Kara smiled with the wide gray eyes that 
were her chief beauty. 

^^Of course I have, been driving before! 
Mr. and Mrs. Hammond and Lucy have taken 
me several times in their car. Once, not long 
ago, Lance actually appeared in a taxicab 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


183 


which he said he had the privilege of using for 
two hours. He told me the friend who had 
been so kind to him wished him to invite me 
for a ride through Central Park. Lance wanted 
to talk of the wonderful chance he thought 
might be coming to him.’’ 

The opening had seemed propitious. Tory 
nodded at Dorothy to ask her advice. 

Then observing that Kara was laughing at 
them both, she hesitated. 

Dorothy made no pretence of introducing 
the subject. She and Tory had agreed that 
it was wiser for Tory to give an outline of 
the situation, with Dorothy to corroborate 
and add convincmg details that otherwise 
might be forgotten. 

Between her two friends upon the low, 
broad seat of an old-fashioned vehicle which 
resembled a victoria, a favorite equipage of 
bygone daySj Kara now slipped her hand 
inside theirs. 

^^Do you suppose I have had a drive I 
have enjoyed like this with both of you beside 
me? But, Tory dear, please tell me what it is 
you wish to say. I hope you may never have 
any very important secret to conceal, you are 
so transparent! This afternoon I don’t mind 
hearing, as from your expression I am sure it 


184 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


is something exciting. So I can listen and look 
at our surroundings at the same time, can^t 

^^No, Kara, you must give me your undi- 
vided attention,’^ Tory replied, so solemnly 
that the other girl was silenced. A shght wave 
of what might have suggested regret passed 
over her face. 

Life had been so full of serious things these 
past six months, she had wanted one happy 
afternoon, when she might forget. 

During the long recital she had asked a few 
questions and at this instant had uttered her 
innermost conviction. 

“I believe you are mistaken, Kara. When 
you see Mr. Moore you will feel differently. 
He is very quiet and seems to disHke meeting 
strangers and having to discuss his private 
affairs. He declares that the thought of having 
failed to keep his promise, and knowing 
nothing of the little girl he was to care for all 
these years, has made him more of a recluse 
than he might otherwise have been. As a 
matter of fact, father says he is convinced at 
last that Mr. Moore is telUng the truth. He 
has seen his lawyer and learned that he is a 
member of a distinguished family and has the 
reputation for being extremely cultured and 
generous. Certainly his kindness to Lance 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


185 


might have convinced father without further 
investigation! I really believe that father, 
without realizing the fact, is a little jealous 
because Mr. Moore has been able to do for 
Lance what he could not afford, and Lance 
adores him!” Dorothy McClain interposed, 
observing that Tory appeared crestfallen at 
the fashion in which Kara had received the 
amazing story. 

^^Yes, I understand, Dorothy. I am not 
in the least venturing to dispute Mr. Moore^s 
account of what he thinks occurred so many 
years ago. I only very seriously doubt that 
I have any part in it. I presume there are 
hundreds of other children who are as hkely 
to be the girl he is seeking.” Kara’s tone 
lacked entire conviction. 

Please don’t say what you really know 
isn’t true, Kara!” Tory protested, with more 
irritabihty than she reahzed. She had been 
tremendously keyed up over the problem of 
imparting the extraordinary situation to the 
other girl. She could not help being annoyed 
by Kara’s calm dismissal of its importance. 

^^It is absurd to pretend that the fact the 
name ^Katherine Moore’ was pinned to your 
dress, when you were discovered, does not 
help in identifying you. Mr. Moore says 


186 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


that your mother asked that you be called by 
his name. He spoke of you as Katherine 
before any one thought of mentioning the 
one thing that is known concerning you. Is it 
that you do not want what we have told you 
to be true, Kara? To deny that you are the 
girl Mr. Moore is searching for is ridiculous. 
He has undeniable proof that Westhaven is 
between twenty and thirty miles from the 
farm where he found you and your mother. 
The evergreen cabin is along the route to the 
station where he took the train for Boston. 
Mr. Moore believes that he realized he was 
ill and started out to find some one to look 
after you. He must have grown worse, 
because he knew nothing for several weeks. 
Then he found himself in a hospital in Boston. 
Dr. McClain says this often occurs in illness. 
Mr. Moore had intended going to Boston and 
must have gotten on board the train. After- 
wards people on the train took charge of him; 
they found his name and address from letters 
in his pocket. He was an old bachelor with 
no close relatives and had confided to no 
one where he had gone, but his friends were 
looking after him when he recovered con- 
sciousness.’^ 

“Yes, Tory, you seem to have arranged 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


187 


everything satisfactorily, as if you had been 
writing a mystery story and had carefully 
gathered up all the clews! May I be allowed 
to say that I would like to have it explained 
to me why a package of letters were given to 
me at the end of last summer found in the old 
fireplace at the evergreen cottage? Did the 
eccentric old bachelor dispose of the letters in 
the same fashion he got rid of me?’’ 

“Then you confess you were the child, 
Kara? ” Tory interrupted. “ Don’t attempt to 
pretend you do not think so after what you 
have said.” 

“But I am not convinced. I think it is all 
very tiresome and absurd and I wish you had 
never told me. After all, suppose it is true 
and I am the girl, he is no relative of mine! 
I prefer the Gray House and my friends in 
Westhaven. I don’t wish to have anything 
to do with this Mr. Moore. Dr. McClain 
says I may be well in a year or so and then I 
shall be able to take care of myself.” 

A second time Tory was beginning to pro- 
test and reproach Kara for her unreasonable 
attitude, but a warning glance from Dorothy 
McClain restrained her. 

Kara’s color, her cheerful expression had 
vanished. She was white and exhausted. 


188 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


you don’t mind, I think I would like to 
go back to the hospital; I am tired all of a 
sudden,” she remarked. 

Tory was frightened. 

She had insisted that Kara be told the pecu- 
liar circumstances she had just related, arguing 
that she would receive the information in her 
usual sensible and matter-of-fact fashion. 

Kara had been through too much suffering 
and anxiety since her accident the summer 
before to have any new problem presented to 
her. Should they have waited until she was 
stronger? Tory was not sure. 

She put her arm about the slender figure. 

‘^Do try not to think any more of what we 
have been talking about for the present, Kara. 
It is my fault, I wanted you to hear. If you 
don’t like Mr. Moore you need not have any- 
thing to do with him. You have friends 
enough if he never had been heard of! I shall 
hate it if he does more for you than we can. 
Just the same I think you had best know that 
Mr. Moore has seen the letters. Mr. Ham- 
mond showed them to him. They were ordi- 
nary friendly letters he had written your 
mother from time to time, not important, 
and thinks he must have thrown them into 
the fire with the idea of burning them. There 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


189 


is no question that the letters were written by 
him, as his handwriting is exactly the same.’' 

^^Do you think it my duty to see this Mr. 
Moore, Dorothy? I know what Tory will 
say,” Kara inquired when they were within a 
block of their destination. “Can you imagine 
an3rthing more disappointing than for a man 
of the kind Lance describes, cultured, musical, 
of a distinguished family, to have to devote 
any time or thought to so insignificant a per- 
son as I am? There is one consolation, he is 
sure to like me even less than I shall like him.” 

“I would not trouble. I would not see Mr. 
Moore for the present, Kara dear,” Dorothy 
answered in a calm and reassuring tone. “In 
any case you must talk the matter over with 
father before you decide. He is coming to see 
you after dinner to-night, as he must return 
to Westhaven in the morning. If you do con- 
clude to see Mr. Moore, why, I would not for 
days and days until I was in exactly the right 
mood.” 


CHAPTER XVII 


AN ANNOUNCEMENT 

occasional early spring day was mak- 



ing its appearance in the Connecticut 


valley. Only a few faint spears of 
green showed on the long, pointed fingers of 
the willow trees, a bursting of the hardiest 
buds on the lilac bushes, while the pussy willow 
was enjoying its usual triumph, the first 
harbinger of the approaching season. 

As a matter of fact, when the Girl Scouts 
and their Troop Captain set out on their 
afternoon hike, except to eager and trained 
eyes winter was still chiefly in evidence. 

In out-of-the-way places there were thin 
layers of ice with the melted water showing 
beneath. The skies were gray, with rare 
streaks of blue, the atmosphere had the clear 
sharpness of recent frost, the wind blew with 
a definite chillness. 

The group of twelve girls and their Cap- 
tain were on their way to Beechwood Forest, 
where they had spent the previous summer 
in camping. 


( 190 ) 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


191 


you suppose we can manage to stop 
by the House in the Woods and see Miss 
Frean? I have not seen her in ages ! Dorothy 
McClain remarked. ^^Do you see as much of 
her as usual, Tory?^^ 

Her companion shook her head. 

^^No; I don^t believe Memory cares forme 
as much as she did when we first knew each 
other. It is diflScult to explain. She is as kind 
and charming as ever, but I have lost the 
feeling that she wants me with her. Uncle 
Richard no longer goes to see her. I don’t 
know what could have happened and he 
declined to explain. After Memory’s illness 
in the early winter he used to call on her fre- 
quently. I have sometimes wondered if I 
remind her too much of him. But here I am 
romancing again! Glad you do not object so 
seriously as Kara!” 

The girls were not walking in drill formation 
and so were able to talk with one another. 

Louise Miller at this moment caught up 
with her two friends. 

“Forgive me if I overheard a part of what 
you were saying, Tory,” she began, “and 
forgive me again if I say that I don’t think 
you ought to have thought or expressed such 
an opinion. Miss Frean is as fond of you as 


192 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


she ever was. There is no question that she 
has more real affection for you than any other 
of the Girl Scouts. The other thing you 
spoke of is her own affair and I donT feel 
you should have mentioned it.” 

Louise had an abrupt, awkward fashion of 
speech that at times made her family and 
friends angry. 

Reproachfully Dorothy McClain shook her 
head at this moment. 

Tory had a quick temper. She rarely made 
unfortunate remarks to other persons, and 
having beautiful manners under most circum- 
stances, perhaps possessed the right to resent 
the lack of them in other people. 

At this moment she flushed and bit her lips, 
but made no reply. 

Don’t you think, after all, that what Tory 
thinks and declares is her own affair and not 
yours, Ouida? When did you decide to 
become the censor of our manners?” 

Dorothy’s tone held a slight drjuiess that 
was a sharper rebuke than irritation, espe- 
cially as she so rarely criticized the other girl, 
in spite of their years of intimacy. 

^'Dorothy is right, I beg your pardon, 
Tory,” Louise faltered, a slow color making 
her heavy features less attractive. 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


193 


^'The truth is I am so grateful for what 
Miss Frean has offered to do for me that I 
>€im too ready to defend her where I have no 
shadow of justification/’ 

^^What is Memory going to do for you, 
Louise?” Tory inquired, having fought and 
conquered her sudden gust of temper. She 
was learning more self-control of late, when 
she had been tried in more than one fashion. 

'^Perhaps I should not have said what I 
did, but Dorothy and I have grown so inti- 
mate over the problem of Kara’s strange atti- 
tude that I tell her most things. I suppose 
Memory is helping you because she thinks 
you are specially in need of her help. She 
has a way of passing herself from one person 
to the other for this reason.” 

Louise hesitated. 

“I am one of the most awkward persons in 
the world, Tory, and you are a dear not to be 
angry! I overheard what was not intended 
for me and reproached you for it. 

“Yes, I do need Miss Frean’s help. I have 
not had a happy winter, things at home are 
becoming more and more difficult. It is just 
such things as my having made that impolite 
speech to you without intending or reafizing 
howit might affect you,that makes my mother 


13 


194 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


hopeless concerning me. I thought after last 
summer I would improve.’’ 

Yes, Ouida, but come to the point. What 
is Miss Frean to do to help reconcile you to 
life? Don’t you suppose I appreciate that 
things have been specially hard for you at 
home? Perhaps you have not been conscious 
of the fact, but I have seen less of you this 
winter than since we were tiny girls. Even 
old Don noticed the fact and asked me what 
was the matter,” Dorothy McClain protested. 

For just a flashing moment Louise’s heavy 
features lightened and Tory caught the look of 
affectionate devotion in the large, pale-gray 
eyes with their queerly fringed lashes. 

“No day has passed without my seeing you, 
Dorothy, when I have not missed you and 
longed for you. But I knew you had Tory and 
the excitement of Lance and Kara. Then 
mother did not wish me to see so much of 
you,” Louise added with her fatal tactlessness. 

At this it was Dorothy whose color flushed 
her clear, bright skin. Her gray-blue eyes 
dropped. 

“Sorry your mother thinks I am a bad 
influence! Perhaps I am! Only, Tory, I 
trust Miss Victoria and Mr. Fenton will not 
reach the same conclusion, or I should be 
deserted indeed.” 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


195 


^^Now you are hurting Ouida. Do let^s be 
sensible and stop arguing. Louise did not 
mean that her mother considered you an 
undesirable character, Dorothy. Perhaps 
she may be just a little jealous of Louise^s 
affection for you. We are but mortals, all of 
us, even mothers, I suppose, although Dorothy 
has no mother and I only a stepmother.’^ Tory 
made an amusing grimace. would like to 
recall the fact, Louise, that we still are in the 
dark with regard to you and Memory Frean. 
Here, I may as well confess my jealousy. I 
don’t like Louise being more of a favorite 
than I am, just as I resented Edith Linder, I 
suppose.” 

“Oh, it is nothing to create envy, hatred, 
malice or other uncharitableness,Tory,” Louise 
answered, her serenity restored, and smiling 
happily. “You would hate what Miss Frean 
and I are planning to do. I am to be allowed 
to spend an afternoon each week with her 
and go on with the studies of the out- 
doors that I found so thrilling during our 
summer camp. We are going to study tree- 
ology and bug-ology and stone-ology. Miss 
Frean insists she does not know about them, 
but we can work outdoors together and she 
will have as much pleasure as I feel. This 


196 


THE OmL SCOUTS 


cannot be true, but is a delightful idea. She 
does not think it absurd for me to wish to 
become a naturahst. One may have it for a 
pastime at least! Anyhow, I won^t do what I 
dislike all the time!^’ 

Half an hour later one would scarcely have 
believed in the lessening of the affection 
between Tory Drew and Memory Frean. 

The Troop of Scouts and their Captain 
having halted at the House in the Woods, 
Miss Frean had been persuaded to join them 
for the deeper walk into the forest. 

The beech woods were full of shadows and 
httle shivery, sighing winds. A few seared 
leaves that had clung all winter to the other- 
wise bare branches rattled and shook like 
castanets. The younger beeches showed a 
few uncurling leaves and ripples of light along 
the gray-brown bark of their trunks. 

On the ground under the trees were the 
first spring beauties and wild pale violets. 

The girls had scattered into groups and were 
investigating the favorite haunts of the past 
summer. 

Tory Drew led Miss Frean apart from the 
others and away from the woods toward the 
shore of the small lake. Above rose the three 
pine hills. 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


197 


The girl shrugged her shoulders with a 
faintly nervous gesture. 

donT like the woods to-day for some 
reason, Memory; they are kind of ghosty and 
unfriendly. I hke shining places filled with 
fight and color. 

The older woman shook her head. 

^^You are too impressionable, Tory dear! 
I wish you would not always yield to your 
fancies.” 

In response Tory smiled and dropped her 
head an instant against her companion's 
shoulder with one of her favorite gestures of 
affection. 

^^It is nice to hear you scold. I was just 
telling Dorothy and Louise that you had 
ceased to care for me as you did in the begin- 
ning of our friendship. I have not enjoyed it.” 

^'You are mistaken, Tory. I care for you 
perhaps more than ever. Your winter has 
been more absorbed than you realize in your 
interest in the strange circumstances concern- 
ing Kara and in your concern over Lance 
McClain. Besides, I thought it best to realize 
I might be making a mistake if I should 
become too devoted to one Girl Scout who 
might any day go away to join her father and 
her friends and Westhaven see her no more.” 


198 


THE GHIL SCOUTS 


There was a gravity in her companion's 
voice that startled the girl, who had been only 
half in earnest. 

“Why, I am not going away, Memory! At 
least I have no idea of any such possibility! 
Father has said nothing of it. And in any case 
I should always come back to Westhaven. 
There is Uncle Richard and you and the Girl 
Scouts! Why did you make such a suggestion? 
Do you remember that when you presented me 
with my talisman you said I would learn to 
love Westhaven with all my heart and that no 
matter where I might be I would wander 
back now and then?’’ 

Miss Frean nodded. 

“Yes, Tory, I remember very well. I want 
to make a confession. I was growing too fond 
of you to be content with an occasional sight 
of you, perhaps with a year or years inbetween. 
So I came to my senses and concluded I had 
no possible claim upon you except that we 
must always be good friends and you must 
come to me freely at any time when I can be 
of use.” 

Tory’s face clouded. 

“I see. So before anything happened you 
put me out of your life and thought, just as 
you must have Uncle Richard many years 
ago.” 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


199 


If Tory^s speech startled her companion it 
was as unexpected in her own ears. What a 
fatal gift she had of speaking from the depth 
of her inner thought! 

^'Tory!’^ Miss Frean exclaimed. 

I am sorry. I had not intended to be rude, 
only what I said must be true. You are such 
a self-sufficient person, Memory Frean, and 
Uncle Richard and I are not. We have found 
we are a good deal alike since we have been 
living together, although I never believed I 
was in the least like my mother’s people. I 
suppose you won’t tell me why you will not 
allow Uncle Richard to be friends with you at 
present? He was enjoying coming to see you, 
and he calls on very few people.” 

The older woman hesitated, her blue eyes, 
ordinarily serene, looking uncertain and 
troubled. 

'^You are an impetuous person, Tory, and 
will never fail in this world for any lack of 
sincerity. After all, there is no reason why I 
should not tell you what you ask! You may 
be annoyed with me, but I think I am right.” 

Tory sighed. 

^^Yes, I suppose you are. You are one of 
the persons who would be right, yet I have an 
idea it has been hard for Uncle Richard.” 


£00 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


Her speech made Miss Frean’s answer more 
difficult, nevertheless she went on firmly: 

^^Your uncle and I were more than friends 
whenwewere younger. Idon^t knowhow much 
or how little you have been told. His family 
never wished him to marry me, and for that 
and other reasons our engagement was broken. 
I have never cared for any one since. Well, 
this winter when we renewed our friendship I 
was enjoying it. I am lonelier than you believe, 
Tory, with your rather hard opinion of me. 
But by and by, Richard— Mr. Fenton seemed 
to have the impression that we might ignore 
the passing of nearly twenty years. I thought 
he was mistaken and that it was wiser we 
should not meet often. Do you understand? ” 

Tory shrugged her shoulders with the little 
foreign gesture that she had not yet wholly 
lost. 

^^Yes; how can I fail to understand? It is 
just as I thought.’’ 

The silence that followed was not com- 
fortable and Miss Frean added: 

“Suppose we don’t talk about ourselves, 
Tory. Please tell me about Kara. I am deeply 
interested and not so surprised as most people 
by her attitude toward Mr. Moore.” 

“Well, I am surprised and, more than that, 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


201 


I am awfully annoyed with Kara. Not that 
it makes the slightest difference to her. You 
know Kara is one of the quietly firm people 
whom one cannot change. She must see for 
herself. 

^^She has decided to accept the fact that 
Mr. Moore is her guardian in the sense that 
her mother begged this favor of him many 
years ago, not otherwise. She has declined to 
allow him legally to adopt her. She is friendly 
but does not wish him to do an3rthing for her. 
She says that he will not find her congenial 
and that as soon as she is well enough she 
wants to come back to the Gray House on the 
Hill imtil she has finished school. Nothing 
will induce her to give up the idea that she 
wishes to make her own living as soon as she 
is strong enough. In the meantime she is 
studying stenography whenever she has any 
leisure. And actually Mr. Hammond and 
Dr. McClain and Uncle Richard uphold her. 
They say they admire her spirit. Mr. Ham- 
mond has given Kara a typewriter which she 
was at least gracious enough to accept. She 
has taken nothing from poor Mr. Moore, who 
wants to be as nice as possible, except books 
and candy and flowers. She has condescended 
to drive with him a few times. I really think 


202 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


Kara is partly obstinate because I used to 
tell her she would be sure to develop a roman- 
tic history. She insisted I wanted her to have 
a rich guardian and to grow up and marry 
him like the sentimental stories of girls in 
orphan asylums the world over. So now Kara, 
who might have a rich guardian, repudiates 
him!^’ 

Memory Frean laughed. 

‘^Well, I must say I too admire Kara’s 
fortitude. And we all suffer a little from your 
romantic tendencies, Tory. By and by Kara 
will become more friendly. Naturally she is 
more concerned with getting well at present.” 

“If she does not recover in New York, Mr. 
Moore has spoken of taking Kara and Lance 
to Europe so that Lance can study music and 
Kara see what can be done for her. If she 
does not get well I don’t see how she can 
refuse this. I believe Kara would accept 
anything to make her walk again, even if she 
insisted on earning the money in the future 
and returning it to Mr. Moore. 

“Isn’t it nearly teatime. Memory? I see 
several of the girls walking toward the ever- 
green cottage.” 

The arrangement had been that after a 
walk to the woods the Girl Scouts and their 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


Captain would have tea inside their cabin with 
Philip Winslow, the artist, who had been 
hving there during the winter and been added 
as a member of the Girl Scout Council. 

At this moment he and the Troop Captain 
were walking away from the cabin toward 
them. 

“Tory, if you are determined upon a 
romance, have you ever thought there may be 
any deeper feeling between Mr. Winslow and 
Sheila than mere friendship? I know she has 
been very kind to him all winter, wishing to 
make him feel less a stranger in Westhaven.’’ 

Tory laughed. 

“Thought of a romance between them? 
Why, Dorothy and I feel perfectly certain. 
HavenT you noticed not only the change in 
Mr. Winslow but in Sheila? IsnT she gay 
and charming? She never talks of being 
unhappy any more. Dorothy and I are so 
pleased and responsible. You see, we really 
persuaded Mr. Winslow to come to West- 
haven and actually Dorothy suggested the 
idea of Sheila^s helping him to recover from 
some disappointment we felt sure he had suf- 
fered. Sheila was annoyed but seems to have 
followed the advice.” 

No other conversation upon the subject 


204 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


was possible, since at this moment the Troop 
Captain and Philip Winslow were within a 
few yards of Tory and Miss Freah. 

'^We were afraid you would forget to come 
to the cabin in time for our feast,” Sheila 
Mason remarked, slipping her hand inside 
Miss Frean^s. “There is something I want 
to tell you.” 

Tory and Philip Winslow were walking on 
together. 

“I have had a piece of good luck, Tory. I 
want you to congratulate me. You have been 
my mascot, you see.” 

“Good luck? I am so glad! Dorothy and 
I thought it was true, but we were not sure. 
It is such a heavenly relief to know.” 

Her companion appeared puzzled and 
amused. 

“How could you have guessed I was going 
to receive a prize at the National Academy 
exhibition this year? I had no conception of 
any such good fortune, myself. And what's 
more I have sold the picture for two thousand 
dollars. I believe the fates have turned 
and I am now in their good graces. This 
is all due to you and my coming to West- 
haven and becoming, well, not a Girl Scout, 
as you once suggested, but the nearest 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


205 


thing I could manage, a member of your 
Council/’ 

In spite of the good news Tory made no 
immediate reply. 

'^Aren’t you going to congratulate me, Tory? 
I thought we artists had a fellow feeling for 
each other! As a matter of fact, I thought we 
were great friends. Some day I am going to 
be proud of you as an artist, Tory, when your 
time comes.” 

Still Tory was reluctant and surprisingly 
ungracious. 

^^Oh, yes, I do congratulate you,” she said 
finally with a change in manner and tone. 
^^And it is not only because of the picture, 
although that is wonderful, but I realize this 
will help with the other thing. Not that she 
would care, but that you will feel so much 
more sure of yourself and your future.” 

If Tory was not very clear or coherent, Mr. 
Winslow made no pretence of not under- 
standing her. 

^'Yes, Tory, I did not dare to speak to 
Sheila until this happened. She and I were 
going to tell the Girl Scouts when we had 
finished tea, but I am glad to tell you first 
and alone. 

^'We are to build a house near Westhaven 


206 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


and for a time I am going to make pictures 
of this beautiful Connecticut valley. We will 
work together, you and I, Tory. The disap- 
pointed, dissatisfied man you met in the old 
New York studio not many months ago seems 
almost a stranger. Come, they are waiting 
for us.’^ 


CHAPTER XVIII 


THE LAST BOUND TABLE 

I N honor of Katherine Moore^s farewell 
visit to Westhaven there was to be a 
speeial meeting of the Girl Scouts of the 
Round Table in Memory Frean’s House in 
the Woods. 

After all, circumstances had been more 
powerful than Kara. The doctors had agreed 
that a sea voyage and a consultation with 
certain eminent surgeons in Europe would 
be helpfuL So Kara had decided to accept 
the kindness from a stranger who might have 
played so different a role in the last twelve 
years of her life, but was now deeply anxious 
to make amends. 

In any case Mr. Moore had intended going 
abroad for the summer with Lance McClain. 
He explained that he wanted Lance’s com- 
panionship, having developed a keen interest 
in him and wishing him to have the best 
possible musical education. 

During the latter part of the spring— -the 
date had not been finally settled — Mr. Moore, 
with Kara and Lance, was to sail for London. 

( 207 ) 


208 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


The length of Kara’s visit to West- 
haven was to depend upon the time of depart- 
ure. 

It was pleasant to think of the number of 
invitations that the young girl, who had been 
in a fashion the ward of the village, had 
showered upon her for these few weeks before 
her farewell. 

With something approaching relief, Kara 
allowed Miss Victoria Fenton to make the 
decision for her. She was to come directly 
to her brother and herseh and her niece. Her 
other friends might see her there at any time, 
as their house was large and fairly quiet, 
when Tory permitted it to be. The down- 
stairs bedroom, so rarely used, was at their 
guest’s disposal. Moreover, Miss Victoria 
permitted herself to acknowledge that she 
very much wanted the pleasure of having Kara 
in her home. She had developed a deep inter- 
est and affection for her. 

For once Tory concurred with her aunt’s 
desire. 

She was fascinated to observe Miss Victoria 
in her tender and thoughtful attitude toward 
Katherine Moore during her visit in their 
household and to learn her own lesson. Never 
had Miss Victoria outwardly displayed so 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


209 


much affection, not even toward her own 
brother, whom she adored. They had^differed 
with regard to his engagement many years 
before, and, although neither was aware of the 
fact, the sympathy of their relation had never 
been entirely restored. 

Kara’s practical nature, her humor and 
courage did not jar upon Miss Victoria, for 
she had been compelled by circumstances to 
spend her life with dreamers, who were trying 
to her narrow, well-ordered nature. 

Moreover, she had a passion for looking 
after people who needed her. Kara was 
almost embarrassed by her kindness and her 
attentions until Tory confided the discovery 
she lately had made that her aunt required 
just w'hat Kara could give her. Certainly 
Miss Victoria would rather have perished than 
confess the fact that in the past year she had 
suffered many qualms of jealousy over her 
brother’s and niece’s congeniality and a devo- 
tion that had left her out in the cold. 

Kara had improved, but still continued to 
be troubled by a curious lack of sensation. 
She was forced to spend the greater part of 
her time either upon a couch or in a chair. It 
was difficult for Tory, who was not con- 
spicuously unselfish ; yet she had the generosity 


14 


210 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


to leave Kara and her aunt alone as often as 
she could decide to make the sacrifice of the 
few remaining hours with the girl friend whom 
she had cared for from the hour of their 
original meeting. 

The Round Table was toward the close of 
Kara’s stay in Westhaven. She was to sail 
early in May and must be back in New York 
for a week or more before the date set. 

Without wavering, Kara still utterly de- 
clined to play any such fanciful r 61 e as a 
Knight of the Round Table. Notwithstand- 
ing Tory’s pleading, she would not come to the 
final meeting of the Round Table in any other 
costume than her Girl Scout one. She was 
keenly interested in the spectacle, however, 
and entreated the other Girl Scouts to allow 
her to see how they must have looked upon 
the Christmas Eve entertainment six months 
before. 

The season made a difference in the decora- 
tions. No longer ornamented with pines and 
evergreens, the living-room of the House in 
the Woods was beautiful with spring flowers 
and shrubs. 

Against the brown walls were branches of 
blossoming dogwood, long sprays of the 
fragrant, rose-pink trailing arbutus. On the 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


m 


mantel and tables were vases of white and 
purple lilacs and a single bowl of splendid 
crimson roses that had come to the House in 
the Woods with no card attached. The hostess 
understood, however, that they were a gift 
from Mr. Fenton. 

To-night they stood in the center of the 
Round Table. 

There was no raised dais, the Troop Captain 
insisting on having her place at the Round 
Table, which included Miss Frean. 

Suspended from the rafters of the great 
room were the silver banners, no longer of 
unmarked silver cloth. Embroidered upon 
them in the chosen colors of the Knights were 
stories of their services during the past half 
year. 

Edith Linder^s was the supreme achieve- 
ment! No one of the Scouts in her Troop 
would have dreamed of disputing this fact. 

To-night she wore the Golden Eaglet badge, 
the highest honor awarded a Scout. The single 
act of devotion on the part of one girl had 
afforded an example to the others. The 
sufferers from the great factory fire had 
received many kindnesses and attentions from 
the Girl Scouts Troop of the Eaglets Wing. 
The little group of girls, members of a com- 


212 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


paratively unknown organization in West- 
haven a year and a half ago, were now ac- 
counted one of the chief factors for beauty 
and service in the village hfe. 

Toward the close of this evening, Katherine 
Moore looked slowly from one face to the 
other of the friends surrounding her and then 
about the exquisite room, fragrant and shining 
with a wealth of green-and-white candles. 

“To me it seems to have been a wonderful 
Scout winter, in spite of the fact that you told 
me until after Christmas you feared that you 
were slipping back from the enthusiasm of the 
early days of our Scouting. I am sorry, but 
I seem to be the only one of you who has done 
nothing. I am glad I declined to allow you 
to include me as a Knight of your Round 
Table. I should have proved neither a worthy 
Knight nor Scout. 

Kara was so unconscious of the impression 
that her words were making upon the group 
of girls that no one of them dared reply for a 
moment. 

Then, not one of the Scouts answered, but 
the Troop Captain, Sheila Mason, with the 
gentler, happier expression that her Troop of 
girls were accustomed to seeing upon her face 
of late. 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


213 


'^Perhaps, Kara, you do not recognize as 
we do what you have accomplished. Is it 
nothing to fight the good fight as you have 
fought it, to have kept yOur courage and faith 
and humor under such difficulties? 

“The members of your Troop of Girl Scouts 
do not agree with you. Edith Linder is the 
only one of us who at present wears the Golden 
Eaglet badge. We have decided that one 
other girl from our Troop deserves this same 
token. Your record has been approved, Kara, 
so aUow me to present you with the Golden 
Eaglet.’’ 

The presentation was informal. After the 
Troop Captain had pinned the badge to the 
lapel of Kara’s pocket, she stooped and kissed 
her, her eyes suddenly filling with tears. 

“We want you to wear this badge for more 
than one reason, Kara. If you are lonely 
among strangers in the days to come, think of 
the affection of the Girl Scouts. One or the 
other of us will have you in mind every hour 
of the day.” 

An hour later the Round Table discussion 
had closed, not alone with farewells for Kara, 
but with whispered suggestions of future plans. 

A few moments after Kara and Tory were 
together outside the door of the House in the 


214 THE GIRL SCOUTS 

Woods, waiting for the car that was to drive 
them home. 

Above them in a nearly cloudless sky the 
moon swam, brilliant and serene. 

^'It was absurd of you, Kara, and so like 
you to suggest to-night that you were the 
least worthy member of our Troop of Girl 
Scouts. You may be a sensible and practical 
person, Kara, but just the same your humility 
was iU timed.’’ 

“Don’t, please, Tory. Tease me on any 
other subject, but not that. I feel my own 
unworthiness even more deeply, and yet what 
could I do under the circumstances? Not to 
have accepted the undeserved honor would 
have been too ungracious! I seem to have 
many things bestowed upon me of late that I 
have no right to possess. Poor Mr. Moore 
and Lance! Can you imagine how bored they 
will be by my society?” 

Tory shook her head, her eyes dark and 
soft in the moonlight, her Hps red and trem- 
bling slightly. 

“No, Kara, what you suggest is beyond 
even my imagination! 

“Strange that you should be sailing for 
Europe and leaving me in Westhaven! Do 
you remember how we used to talk and dread 


OF THE ROUND Tx\BLE 


215 


the opposite thing happening? Then I sup- 
posed I would go away and you stay on here. 
I am sure I should be less missed.^’ 

Kara laughed. 

No, Tory. You are the yeast in our dough. 
DonT you reahze this? Oh, I suppose I might 
have thought of a prettier figure of speech 
for you, but not a truer one. You have 
wakened us all, and brought us beauty and 
ways of thinking and living we would not have 
had in Westhaven without you. 

Now for a httle while we must say good-by; 
but wait for me here, wonT you, Tory.’^ 

The girls could hear the car stopping. 

An instant Kara glanced upward and then 
at the scene before them — ^the open space, the 
tall freshly green trees, the figure of the girl 
beside her, glistening and radiant from the 
moonlight. 

'^You see, Tory, it is everywhere and all 
about us, what you say you wish, a shining 
world. We have said good-night and good-by; 
let us slip away quietly.’’ 


CHAPTER XIX 


AN UNWRITTEN STORY 

O say good-by to his family and friends 



before sailing for Europe, Lance Mc- 


Clain also came back to Westhaven for 
a few days^ visit. 

The visit was not so satisfactory as Karats 
to her friends across the way, because Lance 
was moody and restless and not, as one would 
have expected, especially happy. 

It may be that he was troubled over the 
thought of leaving his father and sister and his 
favorite brother, Donald; if this were true, he 
made no such confession. 

The days were busy ones, as Lance had to 
be made ready for his trip of the summer and 
perhaps a longer time abroad, and no one in 
Dr. McClain’s household knew just what he 
would require, nor how to set about getting 
his outfit in the least extravagant fashion. 

The wardrobes of the various members of 
Dr. McClain’s family had never played im- 
portant parts in their lives. The oldest of the 
brothers, who had gone away to college for 


( 216 ) 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


217 


two years, had passed though a brief period 
of fashionable airs. The others either laugh- 
ing or faihng to notice, and by and by setthng 
down to a business career in Westhaven, 
Jonathan McClain had forgotten. The other 
boys, when the doctor^s receipts were fair, 
boasted two suits a year, and borrowed and 
hooked one another’s choicest possessions 
upon special occasions. 

Dorothy, as the only daugher, might have 
had greater indulgences. Every now and then 
Dr. McClain regarded her half wistfully and 
haK critically, begging her to tell him if she 
was as well looked after as the other girls who 
were her friends and had mothers. Dorothy 
used only to laugh at him and insist that she 
possessed everything in the world she required, 
promising to inform him the instant she found 
herself in need. The truth was that Dorothy, 
with her half -boyish attitude toward hfe, so 
far had given httle consideration to the ques- 
tion of her own costumes. 

Of the girls in her Patrol, only Teresa 
Peterson was really intensely interested in the 
subject up to the present time, although 
several of the other girls showed unmistaka- 
ble signs of increasing concern. 

Now with the problem of Lance to be imme- 


218 


THE GIEL SCOUTS 


diately solved, Dorothy wished she had devel- 
oped more feminine knowledge and taste, at 
least where her brothers were concerned. 

Mr. Moore, Lancets friend, and in some 
measure Kara’s guardian, although she had 
not agreed to legal adoption, had offered to 
supply him with whatever might be missing 
from his present outfit. This Dr. McClain 
utterly refused to consider. Trying enough 
to his pride and sense of responsibUity to per- 
mit Lance’s other expenses to be paid by 
almost a complete stranger! In the face of 
Lance’s impassioned desire and pleading he 
could not refuse, but certainly the boy should 
not start off hke a pauper! 

What made conditions more difficult for 
Dorothy and the elderly housekeeper was, 
that having dehvered this ultimatum, neither 
the Doctor nor Lance appeared to have any 
further concern in the matter. All they did 
was to drive around together, not talking a 
great deal, Lance simply sitting quietly with 
his father and waiting for him in the ancient 
automobile when he disappeared to make his 
daily calls. 

On the afternoon before Lance was to return 
to New York Dorothy was complaining of this 
difficulty before a group of intimate friends 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


219 


upon the back veranda of the old Fenton 
house. 

Hand in hand, like a little girl and boy, 
Lance and Dorothy had run across the street 
to say farewell to Tory and Kara, as Lance 
was to go back to town a little earlier than his 
travehng companion. 

Ten minutes after their arrival, Don had 
followed, not wishing to be left out. 

They had drifted out upon the back porch 
after drinking hot chocolate in the dining- 
room and eating one of Sarah^s cakes, espe- 
cially baked for the farewell feast. 

The spring afternoon was chilly and the 
back garden looked slightly forbidding. The 
grass was only faintly green. Miss Victorians 
favorite shrubs were still wrapped in straw 
and the birds in the old fruit trees appeared to 
have no animation save to seek shelter. 

Comfortably clad in coats and overcoats, 
the little group on the porch revealed no such 
lack of spirit. 

Kara was in her usual chair, Tory on a 
cushion beside her. Dorothy sat on the porch 
railing, Lance near her and Don standing a 
few feet away. 

Five minutes before they had other guests: 
three Boy Scouts in Lancets and Don^s Patrol. 


220 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


Having said their good-bys, they had marched 
off together, glad the always painful duty was 
over. 

“I trust Lance won’t prove a disgrace to 
you and Mr. Moore, Kara,” Dorothy con- 
tinued. ^^He and father have solemnly prom- 
ised me to purchase his going-away suit and 
overcoat the day before he sails. You know 
father will be in New York to see you both off. 
At times I feel I would like to be with him, 
and then again I don’t trust myself.” 

Tory Drew gazed thoughtfully from one of 
her friends to the other, omitting no one of 
them. She saw Kara pale and wistful and 
more than a little frightened over the strange 
journey ahead of her with her almost unknown 
friend and Lance. She saw Lance troubled at 
parting with the dearest members of his 
family, yet tense with dreams, sorry to be 
going and eager to set off. She saw Don 
puzzled and annoyed by Lance and neverthe- 
less proud of him, for Don did not approve 
of Lance’s accepting Mr. Moore’s kindness. 
Too much it would have hurt his own self- 
respect. He did not believe Lance should 
leave his father, knowing how much his father 
cared for him beyond his other sons. He 
simply could not understand that, although 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


221 


Lance could see these things in a measure as 
he did, he cared more for his music. Nor could 
Don appreciate that Lance had the artist’s 
idea that once he succeeded he could more 
than repay all he had accepted. 

The sight of Don’s face touched Tory and 
gave her a sensation of warm championship 
she never felt for his more gifted brother. 
Don looked so strong and good-natured and 
steadfast. 

At the last Tory’s eyes caught Dorothy’s 
glance. 

''Think it much wiser for us to remain in 
Westhaven, Dorothy dear, and have no tragic 
farewells! Kara insists she won’t have me in 
New York at the last.” 

Kara smiled. 

"I don’t think you need worry over Lance 
in relation to Mr. Moore or me, Dorothy,” 
Kara returned. "I am the outsider in the 
group. They are already great friends and 
must know each other’s peculiarities. Besides, 
Lance is sure to make Mr. Moore proud of him, 
and the rest of us as well. Fortunately for 
me, I shall not have to interfere seriously with 
their plans. Mr. Moore has promised to place 
me in a sanitarium and then to forget all 
about me for a time.” 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


222 

Lance crossed over to the girFs chair. 

They had never been especial friends. In 
fact, Lance had been a Httle embarrassed by 
Kara’s humor and practical good sense. He 
had not cared for any girl as he did his sister 
Dorothy and, next to Dorothy, her two 
friends, Tory Drew and Louise Miller. But 
now he and Kara were to be thrown into an 
unusual and unexpected intimacy. More- 
over, Kara’s present trouble appealed to 
Lance’s latent chivalry. He was not possessed 
of this characteristic in the same degree as 
Don. Lance had had too much care taken of 
him in the past. Nevertheless, he was moved 
by Kara’s last speech. 

^^We shall not leave you anywhere and 
forget you, Kara. Mr. Moore thinks of you 
more than you dream and would do anything 
in his power to make up to you for the lost 
years.” 

This time Kara shook her head. 

'^They were not lost years, not for me, 
Lance, and assuredly not for Mr. Moore. I 
have told all of you a dozen times that I 
would rather have been brought up in the 
orphan asylum which I choose to call by the 
dear old title of the ^ Gray House on the Hill’ 
than as the ward of Mr. Moore. I am not 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


223 


ungrateful to him, but how would I then have 
known Tory and Dorothy and you and Don 
and Miss Victoria and all my other friends in 
Westhaven?^^ 

Lance appeared honestly puzzled. 

He could not help believing Kara. She 
gave one the impression of absolute sincerity, 
yet it was difficult for him to accept her point 
of view. He would like to have had the 
advantages that undoubtedly would have been 
Karats had she occupied the position Mr. 
Moore would have given her. 

Never mind, Kara. What I meant was 
that you can always count upon me at any 
time or under any circumstances. If we should 
be separated in Europe, all that will ever be 
necessary is for you to let me know you want 
me. I will come to you no matter how long 
we stay over on the other side.’’ 

Dorothy slipped down from her perch. 

Don’t be tiresome, Lance. You talk as if 
you and Kara would be away years rather 
than months!” She looked worried and 
irritated. 

Apparently Lance had not heard. 

He was standing close beside Donald and 
had thrown one arm about his shoulder. 

This was once a favorite attitude between 


224 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


the twin brothers, Tory recalled. They had 
become less intimate, and this afternoon before 
Lancets departure were both aware of the 
fact and regretting it. As usual, expression 
came more easily to Lance. 

^^You will look after Dorothy and Tory 
and Louise and the best beloved of the Girl 
Scouts whenever they need help, Don. This 
goes without saying, so it is only fair I should 
try to be useful to Kara once in a while. 

You are reconciled to my going, aren’t you, 
Don?” 

Wouldn’t make any difference whether I 
was or not,” Don answered ungraciously, yet 
his blue eyes softened. 

The dusk was descending and Lance’s final 
speech to Kara had added to Dorothy’s rest- 
lessness and discomfort. 

^^It is time we were saying good-night, 
Lance; you will wish to tell Tory good-by.” 

The boy crossed over and held out his long- 
fingered, slender hand. 

As Tory’s own fingers closed over it, she 
had a sensation of being ashamed of an emo- 
tion and of hoping Lance would not guess. She 
was not so sorry at his departure as she had 
thought she would be. Life would be more 
peaceful and agreeable at the old McClain 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


225 


house with Lance away, even if more hum- 
drum. She would have more of Dorothy^s 
and Don^s society for herself. 

do hope you will have great success, 
Lance, and be a celebrated musician some 
day,’’ she said with all the cordiality she 
honestly felt in this connection. 

It was the suggestion that always humbled 
Lance. 

“I am afraid that will never be, Tory, but 
thank you just the same. I suppose you can’t 
say you are sorry I am going away.” 

Lance’s expression was the quizzical one 
that the girl often found annoying. He 
appeared hurt as well this afternoon. 

^'Of course I am sorry in a way, Lance,” 
she answered truthfully enough. ^^But realiz- 
ing how you want to go yourself, isn’t it 
asking a great deal to have us feel all the 
regret? Don’t forget us and Westhaven while 
you are gone. Long ago father and I decided 
never to say good-by to any one, so good-night 
and good luck.” 


15 


CHAPTER XX 


A WEDDING 


TER the sailing of Kara and Lance, 



Tory Drew and Dorothy McClain 


^ would have been in truth lonely and 
depressed save for an approaching event which 
promised the keenest pleasure and excitement. 

After announcing their engagement, Sheila 
Mason and Philip Winslow could find no 
adequate reason why they should go through 
the strain and uncertainties of a long engage- 
ment. They therefore concluded to be mar- 
ried early in the coming June. 

The only two persons who might have 
objected, Sheila’s mother and father, expressed 
themselves as well pleased. The years Sheila 
had passed mourning for her soldier lover were 
now over and they were more than glad to 
find her happiness restored. The old Sheila 
had returned with an added sweetness and 
depth to her nature. 

Another point in hurrying on the ceremony 
was the fact that the Girl Scouts might wish 
to return to their own evergreen cabin in 


( 226 ) 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


227 


Beechwood Forest. They were to build a 
new house that was to be half studio and half 
home, along the shores of the Connecticut 
River, and wished during the summer months 
to see it completed. 

The house was to be a gift from Sheila’s 
parents, who had invited the bride and groom 
to be with them until the house was finished. 

There is only one thing that makes me 
object seriously to your marriage, Sheila,” 
Tory said one afternoon, speaking in her usual 
impulsive and unexpected fashion. 

Sorry, Tory! What is this one thing, by 
the way?” the Troop Captain inquired. 

She was seated on the small step outside 
the evergreen cabin on an early May after- 
noon, her own Patrol of Girl Scouts surround- 
ing her. Two or three of the girls had wan- 
dered off toward the woods. 

Mr. Winslow had gone to New York for 
the day. The Scouts had been having their 
regular meeting at the cabin during his 
absence. There was a bare possibihty he 
might return before they went back to the 
village. 

''My one fear,” said Tory,” is you may con- 
sider that being married will interfere with 
your duties as a Scout Captain. If this is 


228 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


true, I shall oppose the wedding as much as 
I have encouraged it in the past/^ 

The girls laughed. The Troop Captain did 
not laugh, so that Tory reached out and caught 
her hand with a little appeal for pardon. 

^^Do you know, girls, I donT take Tory^s 
impertinent speech in the fashion that it 
deserves because I have been thinking of just 
what her words imply. Perhaps after I am 
married I had best resign as your Troop Cap- 
tain. In that case you would let me become 
a member of your Council?’’ 

^^Good gracious, no!” Margaret Hale an- 
nounced decisively. ^^Yes, I do mean what I 
said, and I altogether agree with Tory Drew. 
If you are even contemplating ceasing to be 
our Captain I intend to call a secret, special 
meeting of your Girl Scouts to see what we 
can do to persuade you to change you mind 
in two connections: one with regard to marry- 
ing Mr. Winslow, the other with regard to 
deserting your Troop.” 

“Moreover, we shall all utterly decline to 
be bridesmaids or to permit you to have a 
Scout wedding,” Joan Peters interrupted. 

Teresa drew closer to the Troop Captain. 

“Promise you wiU never give up your 
Scouts, not for years and years. By that time 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


229 


we shall all be marrying too, so that it will 
not matter.’’ 

The laughter following Teresa’s little speech 
was not so spontaneous as usual. Tory Drew, 
Louise Miller and Dorothy McClain shook 
their heads emphatically. 

^^That day will never come, not for us!” 
they announced in chorus. 

Tory arose. 

The afternoon was not especially warm 
and she had slipped on a green coat over her 
Scout costume. Her red-gold hair was un- 
covered. 

^'You have not given us your promise yet, 
Sheila. Formally and in the name of your 
Scout Troop of the Eagle’s Wing I ask you to 
continue to be our Captain until circumstances 
make it impossible that you give us even a 
measure of your time. No one has appointed 
me the oflBcial spokesman, but any one who 
wishes may disagree with me. 

^^In my humble opinion, you have been the 
best possible Captain any group of girls have 
ever had the good luck to possess. You have 
been always one of us, and yet wiser and 
more just, the dearest kind of a friend and 
leader.” 

Bravo, Tory!” half a dozen of the other 


230 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


girls murmured, with a subdued clapping of 
hands. 

Suddenly they became silent. Sheila Mason 
had not replied, but instead had covered her 
face with her two hands. 

An instant later, when Teresa lifted them 
gently down, the girls were aware that her 
eyes had filled with tears. 

shall continue your Troop Captain as 
long as you want me. No one and nothing 
shall interfere,’^ she began brokenly, with a 
little catch in her clear voice. 

“You girls realize I never have believed 
that I have been able to accomplish half as 
much for my Girl Scouts as you have for me. 
You see, Tory even induced Mr. Winslow to 
come to live in Westhaven. It occurred to 
me that my marriage might offer you an 
opportunity to secure some one you would 
prefer without wounding my feelings.’^ 

She leaned forward. 

“ Suppose we talk now of the wedding, if you 
girls will agree to remove your opposition. It 
is wonderful to have your interest and sym- 
pathy! I am to have eight Girl Scout brides- 
maids. As Kara is not here to take her place 
as a member of our first Patrol, Martha 
Greaves will be one of us. What I wanted to 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


231 


ask is: has any one of you thought of a 
costume for the bridesmaids on this great 
occasion? 

Teresa sighed. 

‘‘Have we thought of anything else except 
our costumes? Why, as soon as I heard you 
announce your engagement, almost the next 
minute, before I knew you dreamed of asking 
us to play any part in the ceremony, I began 
considering what I would like to wear.’’ 

“You mean you thought of yourself and 
your clothes, Teresa Peterson, and not of 
Miss Mason’s happiness?” Louise Miller de- 
manded, annoyed as she so often was by 
Teresa’s frivolity and personal vanity. 

“Oh, of course,” Teresa answered. Then 
aware of the slightly amused and critical 
atmosphere to which she was accustomed, 
she added in an aggrieved fashion: “Of course 
I wanted Sheila to be happy, but then I 
knew she would be. I thought of her wedding 
dress as well.” 

With a gentleness in her manner suggesting 
sympathy. Miss Mason put her arm about 
Teresa. She was especiaUy fond of the girl, 
of her soft, dusky beauty, of her childish, 
pleasure-loving nature. She was now and 
then a little afraid that Teresa might not 


232 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


always choose the right path in spite of her 
Girl Scout associations. For, although the 
other girls were fond of her, with one or two 
exceptions, no one of them approved or 
admired her character or made of her an inti- 
mate friend. She received scant praise or 
understanding in her own home. Her parents 
were plain people who had grown wealthy, 
but had made few changes in their method of 
living. Their home was large but filled with 
ugly, almost vulgar furniture which hurt 
Teresa’s finer sensibilities without her appre- 
ciating the reason. They had a number of 
younger children and kept no one to help. 
Steadfastly, in her own indolent fashion, 
Teresa had rebelled against the aid she was 
called upon to give. As a member of the Girl 
Scouts, she had displayed a little keener 
interest, but the Troop Captain reahzed how 
intensely Teresa disliked the noise and quar- 
reUng and discomfort of her surroundings. 
Teresa was not intellectual, she was not 
energetic or resourceful; yet she often an- 
nounced that she wished to get away from 
home as soon as possible without any idea 
of how this was to be accomplished. Certainly 
she had no thought of learning to support 
herself as Louise Miller and Edith Linder 
were intending to do. 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


233 


see nothing so reprehensible in Teresa’s 
remarks/’ Miss Mason interposed reproach- 
fully. course, she must have known I 

should want you girls to be my bridesmaids. 
Well, since you are so formal, has any one 
thought of a pretty costume since my invita- 
tion? Tory, you are our artist. Have you 
an idea to suggest that is the least bit original? 
Of course no other wedding could ever have 
been what mine will be, and yet there have 
been other June weddings.” 

Tory flushed and laughed. 

“I am a worse offender than Teresa. She 
has confessed; I have not, and yet I behaved 
just as she did. I too thought of our brides- 
maids’ costumes the afternoon of the engage- 
ment. Remember, we were spending the 
afternoon here in the cabin and the beech- 
woods were beginning to turn faintly green 
and gold. 

dreamed then of a green-and-gold wed- 
ding. Our dresses and hats to be of pale 
green, with wreaths of deeper green and 
bronze leaves. In our hands we could carry 
little branches of beech leaves from our own 
forest, with golden roses.” 

^^Then, Sheila in white would be like sum- 
mer approaching in white mist.” Teresa 


234 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


announced. An original flight of fancy was 
unusual for her. 

“I think your idea is lovely, Tory, and it is 
unique. Suppose we talk it over again,’^ 
Miss Mason answered. 

“It is late. We must not stay longer; we 
have a long walk back to the village.’^ 

“I thought you wished to see Mr. Winslow 
before we returned and that we were waiting 
for him,^’ Dorothy McClain remarked in her 
direct fashion. 

The Troop Captain shook her head. 

“No — ^yes — ^well, of course I should like to 
see him, but not to the extent of keeping you 
girls out of doors later than we should stay. 

“Suppose we pack up our possessions and 
move in regular marching order. We shall 
arrive the sooner.^’ 

A half mile away a tall masculine figure 
joined the httle procession. Side by side with 
the Troop Captain he led the way back to 
Westhaven. 


CHAPTER XXI 


A JUNE DAY 


0 invite every individual in the village 



to the marriage of the Girl Scout Troop 


Captain and Mr. Winslow was not 
possible, and yet there were moments when 
Mrs. Mason insisted that this appeared to be 
her daughter's idea. 

On a June morning at an old stone church 
in Westhaven, set in a wide churchyard filled 
with ancient elm trees, the wedding was to 
take place. 

Upon the day, shortly before the hour set 
for the ceremony, the Girl Scout Troop of the 
Eagle’s Wing, save the original Patrol, who 
were to act as bridesmaids, entered the church. 
They were seated in the pews toward the 
front, just behind the family, that had been 
set aside especially for them. In less than two 
years the number of Girl Scouts in Westhaven 
had increased to half a dozen patrols. 

Not long after, the Boy Scouts of the village 
followed. 

Dressed in their uniforms, later, when the 


( 235 ) 


236 


THE GmL SCOUTS 


other wedding guests had assembled, the 
Scouts formed a conspicuous note of golden 
brown color amid the Ughter mushns and silks 
of the women and girls and the darker clothes 
of the men. 

Ignoring the old difficulties which had so 
long separated them, Memory Frean came to 
the wedding accompanied by Miss Victoria 
Fenton and Mr. Richard Fenton. She looked 
very handsome in a dark-blue chiffon made 
over a darker shade of red and with a bunch 
of red roses at her waist. 

Mr. and Mrs. Jeremy Hammond motored 
down from their country place, bringing Lucy 
with them. More than ever the little girl 
looked hke a gorgeous butterfly in a beau- 
tiful yellow silk gown, her white leghorn hat 
trimmed in a wreath of golden poppies. 

Half a dozen children from the Gray House 
on the Hill, who had been Sheila Mason^s 
special friends among the younger group 
whom Katherine Moore had once loved and 
mothered, were also invited. 

As a special favor, Billy Do,’^ of former 
days, was asked to sit beside his once-adored 
little girl friend, ^^Lucy Don^t.’^ 

A shy little boy, thin and freckled, Billy had 
greatly altered in the past two years. Not the 


OF THE ROUND TABLE ^7 

slightest interest did he display in Lucy, who 
treated him with unexpected friendhness. 

She seemed hurt and puzzled until the cere- 
mony began and then, girl-hke, forgot every- 
thing and everybody in the intensity of her 
excitement. 

Sheila Mason was a typical June bride, fair 
and sweet, with a dress of pure white silk 
covered with a long tulle veil, and her arms 
filled with white roses. 

The eight bridesmaids had adopted Tory 
Drew’s suggestion. Their dresses shaded from 
palest green to bronze, every tint of the beech 
leaf from spring to autumn. Made of tarleton, 
with several skirts, the uppermost one of 
green, the sashes and hats were of bronze. 
They might have been spirits from Beechwood 
Forest save for their very human interest in 
themselves, the ceremony, and the great 
church crowded with their own and Sheila 
Mason’s friends. 

Save for a dozen old-time acquaintances 
who had come up from New York, Mr. 
Winslow had invited no one. He had no 
family save a sister, who had married and 
lived too far away to be present. 

As Tory, with flushed cheeks and wide, 
dark eyes, listened to the ever-impressive 


238 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


words of the wedding ceremony, which she 
actually was hearing read in church for the 
first time in her fife, she stared with amazed 
wonder at her artist friend. Was this the 
disappointed, half-embittered man she had 
met in New York City only a few brief months 
before? For the first time Tory was brought 
face to face with the change that happiness 
can bring to a human life. 

Two hours later Tory Drew and Dorothy 
McClain found themselves seated side by side 
upon a divan in the corner of the drawing- 
room of Mr. and Mrs. Mason^s home. 

The bride and groom had departed ;’^only a 
few guests were still lingering, the intimate 
friends of the host and hostess. 

The girls appeared weary and dispirited. 

Dorothy put out her hand and touched the 
golden roses in the other girFs lap. 

“There is something a little depressing 
about a wedding, isnT there? I wonder why? 
I was cheerful and happy enough this morning. 
I suppose it is because things are now over 
and Sheila and Mr. Winslow no longer here.’^ 

She appeared uncommonly grave. 

“Suppose we make a compact with each 
other, Tory, to keep the promise we made the 
other day, you, Louise, and I, never to 
marry.” 


OF THE ROUND TABLE 


239 


Laughing, Tory Drew shook her head. 

She had removed her hat, and her hair was 
a beautiful bright red-gold rising above the 
pale green of her gown, the stem to some 
radiant, gayly-colored flower. 

don^t consider it wise to make rash com- 
pacts. We will keep our word only if we 
really wish. But , whatever fate overtakes us, 
remember ‘I am the master of my fate, I am 
the Captain of my soul.^ 

Now suppose we gather up our possessions, 
say good-by and start for home.^’ 

THE END 





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